U.S. patent application number 14/401118 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-14 for point system, method for controlling point system, point management device, program, and information storage medium.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rakuten, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Rakuten, Inc.. Invention is credited to Manabu Miyamoto, Yasuharu Watanabe.
Application Number | 20150134437 14/401118 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49583551 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150134437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Watanabe; Yasuharu ; et
al. |
May 14, 2015 |
POINT SYSTEM, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POINT SYSTEM, POINT MANAGEMENT
DEVICE, PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION STORAGE MEDIUM
Abstract
A point storage unit stores points, which are imparted to the
user in an electronic commerce, in association with user
identification information. A link request receiving unit receives
a link request for linking user identification information and
membership card identification information for identifying a
membership card for receiving points imparted at an actual shop. In
a case where the link request is received, a link information
storage unit stores link information indicating a link between the
user identification information and the membership card
identification information. In a case where a point use request
with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received, a use permission unit permits use of the
points stored in association with the user identification
information linked to the membership card identification
information.
Inventors: |
Watanabe; Yasuharu;
(Shinagawa-ku, JP) ; Miyamoto; Manabu;
(Shinagawa-ku, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Rakuten, Inc. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Rakuten, Inc.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
49583551 |
Appl. No.: |
14/401118 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
April 12, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2013/061098 |
371 Date: |
November 14, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0225 20130101;
G06Q 20/347 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 20/4012 20130101;
G06Q 20/0655 20130101; G06Q 20/354 20130101; G06Q 20/12 20130101;
G06Q 20/363 20130101; G06Q 20/355 20130101; G06Q 20/40 20130101;
G06Q 20/204 20130101; G06Q 30/0226 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.26 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02; G06Q 20/40 20060101 G06Q020/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 16, 2012 |
JP |
2012-112911 |
Claims
1. A point system for providing a point service to a user,
comprising: a unit that accesses a first point storage unit that
stores points in association with user identification information
for identifying the user in an electronic commerce, the points
being imparted to the user; a unit that accesses a second point
storage unit that stores points in association with membership card
identification information for identifying a membership card
presented at an actual shop, the points being imparted to the
membership card identification information; a link request
receiving unit that receives a link request for linking the user
identification information and the membership card identification
information; a link information registration unit that registers
link information in a link information storage unit in a case where
the link request is received, the link information indicating a
link between the user identification information and the membership
card identification information; a use request receiving unit that
receives a point use request with a designation of the membership
card identification information from a terminal device of the
actual shop; and a use permission unit that permits using, at the
actual shop, the points imparted to the membership card
identification information and the points imparted to the user
identified by the user identification information linked to the
membership card identification information, in a case where the
user identification information and the membership card
identification information are linked and the point use request
with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received, wherein before the user identification
information and the membership card identification information are
linked, the use permission unit does not permit using, at the
actual shop, the points imparted to the membership card
identification information.
2. The point system according to claim 1, wherein the use request
receiving unit receives a point use request with a designation of
the user identification information from a server device that
provides the electronic commerce; and the use permission unit
permits using, in the electronic commerce, the points imparted to
the membership card identification information linked to the user
identification information, in a case where the user identification
information and the membership card identification information are
linked and the point use request with a designation of the user
identification information is received.
3. The point system according to claim 1, wherein the second point
storage unit store points, which are imparted to a first membership
card identification information, in association with the first
membership card identification information, and stores points,
which are imparted to a second membership card identification
information, in association with the second membership card
identification information, and in a case where the first
membership card identification information and the second
membership card identification information are linked to the user
identification information and a point use request with a
designation of the first membership card identification information
is received, the point use permission unit permits using the points
imparted to the user identified by the user identification
information linked to the first membership card identification
information and the points imparted to the second membership card
identification information linked to the user identification
information.
4. The point system according to claim 1, further comprising: a
unit that integrates points imparted to the membership card
identification information into the points imparted to the user
identified by the user identification information linked to the
membership card identification information.
5. The point system according to claim 4, further comprising: a
unit that integrates the points imparted to the membership card
identification information into the points imparted to the user
identified by the user identification information, in a case where
registration of the link information is executed.
6. The point system according to claim 1, wherein it is possible to
have a plurality of membership card identification information
items linked to single user identification information, and the
point system further comprises a unit that restricts a number of
membership card identification information items that are allowed
to be linked to the single user identification information to a
number equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit
number.
7. The point system according to claim 1, further comprising: a
unit that receives a use restriction request with a designation of
the membership card identification information; and a unit that
restricts use of the membership card identified by the membership
card identification information in a case where the use restriction
request with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received.
8. The point system according to claim 1, further comprising: a
first determination unit that determines, in a case where first
membership card identification information and second membership
card identification information are linked to single user
identification information, whether or not a difference in location
between a first shop and a second shop is large based on a
predetermined determination criterion, the first shop being a shop
where a first membership card identified by the first membership
card identification information is used, the second shop being a
shop where a second membership card identified by the second
membership card identification information is used, a second
determination unit that determines, in the case where the first
membership card identification information and the second
membership card identification information are linked to the single
user identification information, whether or not a difference
between a time and date when the first membership card is used at
the first shop and a time and date where the second membership card
is used at the second shop is small based on a predetermined
determination criterion, and a unit that restricts use of at least
one of the first membership card and the second membership card
based on a result of determination by the first determination unit
and a result of determination by the second determination unit.
9. The point system according to claim 1, further comprising: a
participation request receiving unit that receives from the user a
participation request for participating in a campaign conducted at
the actual shop; a unit that accesses a participation situation
information storage unit that stores participation situation
information in association with the user identification
information, the participation situation information indicating
whether or not the participation request is already received from
the user identified by the user identification information; and a
unit that increases or decreases points to be imparted in a case
where the user buys or uses a product or a service at the actual
shop while presenting the membership card, based on the
participation situation information stored in association with the
user identification information linked to the membership card
identification information of the membership card.
10. A method for controlling a point system for providing a point
service to a user, the method comprising: accessing a first point
storage unit that stores points in association with user
identification information for identifying the user in an
electronic commerce, the points being imparted to the user;
accessing a second point storage unit that stores points in
association with membership card identification information for
identifying a membership card presented at an actual shop, the
points being imparted to the membership card identification
information; receiving a link request for linking the user
identification information and the membership card identification
information; registering link information in a link information
storage unit in a case where the link request is received, the link
information indicating a link between the user identification
information and the membership card identification information;
receiving a point use request with a designation of the membership
card identification information from a terminal device of the
actual shop; and permitting using, at the actual shop, the points
imparted to the membership card identification information and the
points imparted to the user identified by the user identification
information linked to the membership card identification
information, in a case where the user identification information
and the membership card identification information are linked and
the point use request with a designation of the membership card
identification information is received, wherein before the user
identification information and the membership card identification
information are linked, it is not permitted to use, at the actual
shop, the points imparted to the membership card identification
information.
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. A non-transitory computer readable information storage medium
storing a program for causing a computer to function as a point
management device for providing a point service to a user, the
program for causing the computer to: access a first point storage
unit that stores points in association with user identification
information for identifying the user in an electronic commerce, the
points being imparted to the user; access a second point storage
unit that stores points in association with membership card
identification information for identifying a membership card
presented at an actual shop, the points being imparted to the
membership card identification information; receive a link request
for linking the user identification information and the membership
card identification information; register link information in a
link information storage unit in a case where the link request is
received, the link information indicating a link between the user
identification information and the membership card identification
information; receive a point use request with a designation of the
membership card identification information from a terminal device
of the actual shop; and permit using, at the actual shop, the
points imparted to the membership card identification information
and the points imparted to the user identified by the user
identification information linked to the membership card
identification information, in a case where the user identification
information and the membership card identification information are
linked and the point use request with a designation of the
membership card identification information is received, wherein
before the user identification information and the membership card
identification information are linked, it is not permitted to use,
at the actual shop, the points imparted to the membership card
identification information.
14. The point system according to claim 2, wherein the second point
storage unit stores points, which are imparted to a first
membership card identification information, in association with the
first membership card identification information, and stores
points, which are imparted to a second membership card
identification information, in association with the second
membership card identification information, and in a case where the
first membership card identification information and the second
membership card identification information are linked to the user
identification information and a point use request with a
designation of the first membership card identification information
is received, the point use permission means permits using the
points imparted to the user identified by the user identification
information linked to the first membership card identification
information and the points imparted to the second membership card
identification information linked to the user identification
information.
15. The point system according to claim 2, further comprising: a
unit that receives a use restriction request with a designation of
the membership card identification information; and a unit that
restricts use of the membership card identified by the membership
card identification information in a case where the use restriction
request with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received.
16. The point system according to claim 3, further comprising: a
unit that receives a use restriction request with a designation of
the membership card identification information; and a unit that
restricts use of the membership card identified by the membership
card identification information in a case where the use restriction
request with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received.
17. The point system according to claim 4, further comprising: a
unit that receives a use restriction request with a designation of
the membership card identification information; and a unit that
restricts use of the membership card identified by the membership
card identification information in a case where the use restriction
request with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received.
18. The point system according to claim 5, further comprising: a
unit that receives a use restriction request with a designation of
the membership card identification information; and a unit that
restricts use of the membership card identified by the membership
card identification information in a case where the use restriction
request with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received.
19. The point system according to claim 6, further comprising: a
unit that receives a use restriction request with a designation of
the membership card identification information; and a unit that
restricts use of the membership card identified by the membership
card identification information in a case where the use restriction
request with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received.
20. The point system according to claim 14, further comprising: a
unit that receives a use restriction request with a designation of
the membership card identification information; and a unit that
restricts use of the membership card identified by the membership
card identification information in a case where the use restriction
request with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a point system, a method
for controlling a point system, a point management device, a
program, and an information storage medium.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A point service is implemented in which a point card is
issued to a user at an actual shop, and points are imparted to a
user who presents the point card in buying or using a product or a
service. A point service is provided in an electronic commerce via
the Internet as well in which points are imparted in buying or
using a product or a service.
[0003] As the above described point service, a point service is
implemented in which, for example, a temporary point card is issued
at an actual shop, and after completion of membership registration
(registration) on a website, points can be imparted to the point
card in accordance with an electronic commerce or the points
imparted in the electronic commerce can be used at the actual
shop.
[0004] In connection with the above described point service,
various proposals have been made. For example, Patent Literature 1
discloses a system for enabling exchange of points between users
using points.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0005] Patent Literature 1: JP2009-123092A
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0006] In a point service that issues the above described temporary
point card, it is possible to use points imparted in an electronic
commerce transacted after completion of membership registration on
a web site, using the point card after completion of membership
registration. However, the above described point service does not
consider at all a possibility of using points imparted in an
electronic commerce transacted before completion of membership
registration on the web site, using the point card after completion
of membership registration. Therefore, it is not possible to use
the points imparted in the electronic commerce transacted before
completion of membership registration on the web site, using the
point card after completion of membership registration.
[0007] The present invention has been conceived in view of the
above, and aims to provide a point system, a method for controlling
a point system, a point management device, a program, and an
information storage medium that permits use of points imparted in
an electronic commerce transacted before completion of registration
of a membership card such as a point card or the like, using the
membership card after completion of the registration.
Solution to Problem
[0008] In order to achieve the above described object, a point
system according to the present invention is a point system for
providing a point service to a user, including: point storage means
for storing points in association with user identification
information for identifying the user, the points being imparted to
the user in an electronic commerce; link request receiving means
for receiving a link request for linking the user identification
information and membership card identification information for
identifying a membership card for imparting and/or using points at
an actual shop; link information registration means for registering
link information in link information storage means in a case where
the link request is received, the link information indicating a
link between the user identification information and the membership
card identification information; use request receiving means for
receiving a point use request with a designation of the membership
card identification information from a terminal device of the
actual shop; and use permission means for permitting using, at the
actual shop, the points stored in association with the user
identification information linked to the membership card
identification information, in a case where the point use request
with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received.
[0009] A method for controlling a point system according to the
present invention is method for controlling a point system for
providing a point service to a user, the method comprising: a step
of accessing point storage means for storing points in association
with user identification information for identifying the user, the
points being imparted to the user in an electronic commerce; a link
request receiving step of receiving a link request for linking the
user identification information and membership card identification
information for identifying a membership card for imparting and/or
using points at an actual shop; a link information registration
step of registering link information in link information storage
means in a case where the link request is received, the link
information indicating a link between the user identification
information and the membership card identification information; a
use request receiving step of receiving a point use request with a
designation of the membership card identification information from
a terminal device of the actual shop; and a use permission step of
permitting using, at the actual shop, the points stored in
association with the user identification information linked to the
membership card identification information, in a case where the
point use request with a designation of the membership card
identification information is received.
[0010] A point management device according to the present invention
is a point management device for providing a point service to a
user, including means for accessing point storage means for storing
points in association with user identification information for
identifying the user, the points being imparted to the user in an
electronic commerce; link request receiving means for receiving a
link request for linking the user identification information and
membership card identification information for identifying a
membership card for imparting and/or using points at an actual
shop; link information registration means for registering link
information in link information storage means in a case where the
link request is received, the link information indicating a link
between the user identification information and the membership card
identification information; use request receiving means for
receiving a point use request with a designation of the membership
card identification information from a terminal device of the
actual shop; and use permission means for permitting using, at the
actual shop, the points stored in association with user
identification information linked to the membership card
identification information, in a case where the point use request
with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received.
[0011] A program according to the present invention is a program
for causing a computer to function as a point management device for
providing a point service to a user, the program for causing the
computer to function as means for accessing point storage means for
storing points in association with user identification information
for identifying the user, the points being imparted to the user in
an electronic commerce; link request receiving means for receiving
a link request for linking the user identification information and
membership card identification information for identifying a
membership card for imparting and/or using points at an actual
shop; link information registration means for registering link
information in link information storage means in a case where the
link request is received, the link information indicating a link
between the user identification information and the membership card
identification information; use request receiving means for
receiving a point use request with a designation of the membership
card identification information from a terminal device of the
actual shop; and use permission means for permitting using, at the
actual shop, the points stored in association with the user
identification information linked to the membership card
identification information, in a case where the point use request
with a designation of the membership card identification
information is received.
[0012] An information storage medium according to the present
invention is a computer readable information storage medium storing
a program for causing a computer to function as a point management
device for providing a point service to a user, the program for
causing the computer to function as means for accessing point
storage means for storing points in association with user
identification information for identifying the user, the points
being imparted to the user in an electronic commerce; link request
receiving means for receiving a link request for linking the user
identification information and membership card identification
information for identifying a membership card for imparting and/or
using points at an actual shop; link information registration means
for registering link information in link information storage means
in a case where the link request is received, the link information
indicating a link between the user identification information and
the membership card identification information; use request
receiving means for receiving a point use request with a
designation of the membership card identification information from
a terminal device of the actual shop; and use permission means for
permitting using, at the actual shop, the points stored in
association with user identification information linked to the
membership card identification information, in a case where the
point use request with a designation of the membership card
identification information is received.
[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the point system
may further include means for storing points in association with
the membership card identification information, the points being
imparted to the membership card identification information, the use
request receiving means may include means for receiving a point use
request with a designation of the user identification information
from a server device that provides the electronic commerce; and the
use permission means may include means for permitting using, in the
electronic commerce, the points stored in association with
membership card identification information linked to the user
identification information, in a case where the point use request
with a designation of the user identification information is
received.
[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the point system
may further include means for storing points in association with a
first membership card identification information, the points being
imparted to the first membership card identification information;
and means for storing points in association with a second
membership card identification information, the points being
imparted to the second membership card identification information,
and in a case where the first membership card identification
information and the second membership card identification
information are linked to the user identification information and a
point use request with a designation of the first membership card
identification information is then received, the point use
permission means may permit using the points stored in association
with the user identification information linked to the first
membership card identification information and the points stored in
association with the second membership card identification
information linked to the user identification information.
[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the point system
may further include means for integrating points imparted to the
membership card identification information into the points stored
in association with the user identification information linked to
the membership card identification information.
[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the point
storage means may include means for storing the points, which are
imparted to the membership card identification information, in
association with the membership card identification information,
and the point system may include means for integrating the points
stored in association with the membership card identification
information into the points stored in association with the user
identification information, in a case where registration of the
link information indicating the link between the user
identification information and the membership card identification
information is executed.
[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, it may be
possible to have a plurality of membership card identification
information items linked to single user identification information,
and the point system may further include means for restricting a
number of membership card identification information items that are
allowed to be linked to the single user identification information
to a number equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit
number.
[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, the point system
may further include means for receiving a use restriction request
with a designation of the membership card identification
information; and means for restricting use of the membership card
identified by the membership card identification information in a
case where the use restriction request with a designation of the
membership card identification information is received.
[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the point system
may further include first determination means for determining, in a
case where first membership card identification information and
second membership card identification information are linked to
single user identification information, whether or not a difference
in location between a first shop and a second shop is used is large
based on a predetermined determination criterion, the first shop
being a shop where a first membership card identified by the first
membership card identification information is used, the second shop
being a shop where a second membership card identified by the
second membership card identification information, second
determination means for determining, in the case where the first
membership card identification information and the second
membership card identification information are linked to the single
user identification information, whether or not a difference
between a time and date when the first membership card is used at
the first shop and a time and date where the second membership card
is used at the second shop is small based on a predetermined
determination criterion, and means for restricting use of at least
one of the first membership card and the second membership card
based on a result of determination by the first determination means
and a result of determination by the second determination
means.
[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the point system
may further include participation request receiving means for
receiving from the user a participation request for participating
in a campaign conducted at the actual shop; participation situation
information storage means for storing participation situation
information in association with the user identification
information, the participation situation information indicating
whether or not the participation request is already received from
the user identified by the user identification information; and
means for increasing or decreasing points to be imparted in a case
where the user buys or uses a product or a service at the actual
shop while presenting the membership card, based on the
participation situation information stored in association with the
user identification information linked to the membership card
identification information of the membership card.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to use
points imparted in an electronic commerce transacted before
completion of registration of a membership card such as a point
card or the like, using the membership card after completion of the
registration.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 shows one example of an overall structure of a point
system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows one example of a hardware structure of a point
management server;
[0024] FIG. 3 explains one example of a procedure to be performed
by a user to use a point service;
[0025] FIG. 4 shows one example of an order screen;
[0026] FIG. 5 shows one example of a point card;
[0027] FIG. 6 shows one example of a log-in screen;
[0028] FIG. 7 shows one example of a list screen;
[0029] FIG. 8 shows one example of a registration screen;
[0030] FIG. 9 shows one example of the list screen;
[0031] FIG. 10 shows one example of a user table;
[0032] FIG. 11 shows one example of a point history table;
[0033] FIG. 12 shows one example of an actual shop table;
[0034] FIG. 13 shows one example of a membership card table;
[0035] FIG. 14 shows one example of the point history table;
[0036] FIG. 15 shows one example of a link table;
[0037] FIG. 16 is a function block diagram of the point system;
[0038] FIG. 17 shows one example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0039] FIG. 18 shows one example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0040] FIG. 19 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0041] FIG. 20 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0042] FIG. 21 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0043] FIG. 22 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0044] FIG. 23 is a function block diagram of the point system;
[0045] FIG. 24 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0046] FIG. 25 shows one example of change of the membership card
table;
[0047] FIG. 26 shows one example of change of the user table;
[0048] FIG. 27 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0049] FIG. 28 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0050] FIG. 29 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0051] FIG. 30 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0052] FIG. 31 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0053] FIG. 32 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system;
[0054] FIG. 33 shows another example of the list screen;
[0055] FIG. 34 is a function block diagram of the point system;
[0056] FIG. 35 shows one example of a campaign screen;
[0057] FIG. 36 shows one example of a campaign table;
[0058] FIG. 37 shows one example of an participation situation
table;
[0059] FIG. 38 is a function block diagram of the point system;
[0060] FIG. 39 shows one example of the membership card screen;
[0061] FIG. 40 shows one example of an overall structure of a point
system according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0062] FIG. 41 is a function block diagram of the point system;
[0063] FIG. 42 shows one example of the user table;
[0064] FIG. 43 shows one example of an actual shop table;
[0065] FIG. 44 shows one example of the membership card table;
[0066] FIG. 45 shows one example of the point history table;
[0067] FIG. 46 shows one example of the link table;
[0068] FIG. 47 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system; and
[0069] FIG. 48 shows another example of processing executed in the
point system.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0070] In the following, an example of an embodiment of the present
invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.
First Embodiment
[0071] A first embodiment of the present invention will be
described. FIG. 1 shows one example of a structure of a point
system according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0072] A point system 1 according to the first embodiment is a
system for providing a point service. In the point service, points
are imparted to a user having bought or used a product or a
service. The user can receive a variety of privileges based on the
points. For example, the user can use the points in buying a
product or using a service at the next and thereafter times. For
example, the points can be appropriated for all or a part of
payment based on 1 point=1 JPY.
[0073] The point system 1 provides the point service to a user of
an electronic commerce system 2. Further, the point system 1
provides the point service to a user of an actual shop as well, as
to be described later.
[0074] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the point system 1 is
included in the electronic commerce system 2 so as to be formed as
a part of the electronic commerce system 2. However, the point
system 1 may be formed as a separate system from the electronic
commerce system 2.
[0075] The point system 1 includes a point management server 10 (a
point management device) and a database 15. FIG. 2 shows one
example of a hardware structure of the point management server 10.
As shown in FIG. 2, the point management server 10 includes a
control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an optical disk drive unit 13,
and a communication unit 14.
[0076] The control unit 11 includes, for example, one or more
microprocessors, and executes processing according to an operating
system or a program stored in the storage unit 12. The storage unit
12 includes a main memory unit and an auxiliary memory unit. For
example, the main memory unit is a RAM, and the auxiliary memory
unit is a hard disk, a solid state drive, or the like.
[0077] The optical disk drive unit 13 reads a program and data
recorded on an optical disk (an information storage medium). The
program and data is supplied to the storage unit 12 via an optical
disk. That is, a program and data recorded on an optical disk is
read by the optical disk drive unit 13 to be stored in the storage
unit 12.
[0078] Note that the point management server 10 may include a
structural element for reading a program or data stored in an
information storage medium other than an optical disk (for example,
a memory card), and the program and data may be supplied to the
storage unit 12 via an information storage medium other than an
optical disk.
[0079] The communication unit 14 is a device for data communication
via the communication network 5. A program and data may be supplied
to the storage unit 12 via the communication network 5.
[0080] The point management server 10 can access the database 15.
The database 15 may be created in the point management server 10 or
a server other than the point management server 10. Information
necessary to provide a point service is stored in the database 15.
Information stored in the database 15 will be described later.
[0081] The electronic commerce system 2 is a system for
implementing an electronic commerce. The electronic commerce system
2 includes an electronic commerce server 20. The electronic
commerce server 20 has a hardware structure similar to that of the
point management server 10.
[0082] For example, the electronic commerce system 2 implements a
virtual shopping mall where a plurality of shops are open. The
electronic commerce server 20 is a virtual shopping mall server
that functions as a portal of the virtual shopping mall. Data
communication is possible between the electronic commerce server 20
and the point management server 10.
[0083] The electronic commerce server 20 can access the database
15. In the database 15, information that is necessary to provide an
electronic commerce (a virtual shopping mall) as well is stored.
For example, information on a user who uses the virtual shopping
mall, information on a shop that is open in the virtual shopping
mall, information on a product dealt in the virtual shopping mall,
information on a transaction performed in the virtual shopping
mall, or the like, are stored in the database 15. A database for
the electronic commerce may be created separately from a database
for the point service.
[0084] Actual shop terminals 3A, 3B are each an information
processing device installed in an actual shop. A shop that actually
(physically) exists (for example, a shop or the like where products
are exhibited for sale) will be referred to as the "actual shop" in
order to discriminate from a virtual shop in the virtual shopping
mall.
[0085] For example, the actual shop terminals 3A, 3B are each a POS
(Point Of Sale) register. The actual shop terminals 3A, 3B each
have a function for reading a bar code or a magnetic code, and can
read bar codes or magnetic codes of various cards and a bar code
displayed on a display unit of a portable terminal. Data
communication is possible between each of the actual shop terminals
3A, 3B and the point management server 10 via the communication
network 5.
[0086] The point service is provided at the actual shop as well.
That is, at the actual shop, a membership card (for example, a
point card) is issued to a user, and points are imparted to the
user who presents the membership card in buying a product or using
a service. By presenting the membership card in buying a product or
using a service, the user can appropriate the points for all or a
part of payment. Such a point service at the actual shop is
provided by the point system 1.
[0087] Note that the actual shop terminals 3A, 3B may be
hereinafter collectively referred to as an "actual shop terminal
3". In the following, an actual shop where the actual shop terminal
3A is installed may be referred to as an "actual shop A", and an
actual shop where the actual shop terminal 3B is installed may be
referred to as an "actual shop B".
[0088] A user terminal 4 is an information processing device for
use by a user. For example, the user terminal 4 is a personal
computer, a portable phone (including a smart phone), a portable
information terminal, or the like. The user terminal 4 includes a
control unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, an operation
unit, a communication unit, and a display unit.
[0089] In the point service provided by the point system 1
according to the first embodiment, a user can use points imparted
in the virtual shopping mall at the actual shop. Further, the user
can use points imparted at an actual shop in the virtual shopping
mall. Still further, the user can use points imparted at an actual
shop at another actual shop.
[0090] Below, a procedure to be performed by a user in order to use
the above described point service will be described. FIG. 3 shows a
procedure to be performed by a user who have not used neither an
electronic commerce service (a virtual shopping mall) nor a point
service at an actual shop yet.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 3, initially, the user performs a procedure
for user registration in order to use the electronic commerce
service (S101). For example, the user accesses a web page for user
registration provided by the electronic commerce server 20 from the
user terminal 4. Then, the user inputs their own information (for
example, a name, a password, an address, a mail address, or the
like) on a user registration screen displayed on the display unit
of the user terminal 4. The information inputted on the user
registration screen is sent to the electronic commerce server 20 to
be stored in the database 15.
[0092] After completion of the procedure at step S101, the user can
buy a product in the virtual shopping mall. When the user buys a
product in the virtual shopping mall, points in accordance with the
purchase price are imparted. The user can use the points at next
shopping in the virtual shopping mall. That is, the user can
appropriate the points for all or a part of payment at next
shopping.
[0093] FIG. 4 shows one example of an order screen that is
displayed in buying a product at the virtual shopping mall. On the
order screen 30 shown in FIG. 4, the amount of points which the
user can earn in buying a product this time is shown. The amount of
points to be imparted to the user is determined in accordance with
the purchase price. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the amount of
points corresponding to 10% of the purchase price are imparted to
the user.
[0094] On the order screen 30 shown in FIG. 4, the point balance of
the user is shown. In the example shown in FIG. 4, as the point
balance of the user is 500 points, the user can appropriate 500
points for a part of payment. To use the points, the user checks
the check box 32, and then clicks an order button 34. Meanwhile,
when the user does not use the points, the user clicks the order
button 34 leaving the check box 32 unchecked. In the case where the
point balance of the user is zero, the check box 32 is not
displayed.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 3, the user has a membership card (a point
card) for use issued at the actual shop (S102). For example, the
managing company of the point system 1 has distributed membership
cards in advance to the actual shop, and the membership card
distributed by the managing company of the point system 1 is issued
to the user at the actual shop.
[0096] FIG. 5 shows one example of a point card to be issued as the
membership card at the actual shop. The point card 40 shown in FIG.
5 includes a magnetic stripe 42. In addition, a membership card ID
44A and a bar code 44B are printed on the point card 40. The
membership card ID 44A is identification information for uniquely
identifying a membership card; the bar code 44B is a bar code
indicating the membership card ID 44A.
[0097] A card ID 46 and a security code 48 as well are printed on
the point card 40. The card ID 46 is used by the managing company
of the point system 1 to manage the stock of the point cards 40.
The security code 48 is used to enhance security of the point card
40. Note that an ID same as the ID indicated by the bar code 44B
may be recorded on the magnetic stripe 42, or an ID different from
the ID indicated by the bar code 44B may be recorded on the
magnetic stripe 42.
[0098] A program for causing a portable terminal (for example, a
portable phone) to function as the membership card may be installed
in the portable terminal, and such a portable terminal may be used
as the membership card instead of the point card 40 (see FIG. 39 to
be described later).
[0099] After completion of the procedure at step S102, the user can
earn points by presenting the membership card in buying a product
or using a service at the actual shop. At this moment, the
membership card is temporary yet. That is, the membership card is
in a state where it is possible to earn points but not to use the
points.
[0100] Note that the procedures at steps S101 and S102 may be
performed irrespective of the order. That is, the procedure at step
S102 may be performed first and followed by step S101.
[0101] As shown in FIG. 3, after completion of the procedures at
steps S101 and S102, the user performs a procedure for linking the
user ID used in the electronic commerce service (the virtual
shopping mall) and the membership card issued at the actual shop
(S103). For example, the user access a web page provided by the
point management server 10 from the user terminal 4. In this case,
a log-in screen 50, such as is shown in FIG. 6, for example, is
displayed on the display unit of the user terminal 4.
[0102] The log-in screen 50 shown in FIG. 6 includes an input space
52 for inputting a user ID, and an input space 54 for inputting a
password. The user inputs the user ID and the password used in the
electronic commerce service (the virtual shopping mall) in the
respective input spaces 52, 54, and then clicks a log-in button 56.
Note that a cancel button 58 is a button to stop the ongoing
procedure.
[0103] When the log-in button 56 is clicked, the user ID and the
password inputted in the respective input spaces 52, 54 are sent to
the point management server 10 to determine whether or not the
combination of the user ID and the password is authentic. When it
is determined that the combination of the user ID and the password
is authentic, a list screen 60, such as is shown in FIG. 7, for
example, is displayed on the display unit of the user terminal
4.
[0104] The list screen 60 is a screen showing a list of membership
cards linked to the user ID inputted on the log-in screen 50. FIG.
7 shows the list screen 60 with no membership card linked to the
user ID. As shown in FIG. 7, only a new registration button 62 is
shown on the list screen 60 in this state. When the new
registration button 62 is clicked, the registration screen 70, such
as is shown in FIG. 8, for example, is displayed. Note that in the
case where no membership card is linked to the user ID, the
registration screen 70 may be displayed without displaying the list
screen 60.
[0105] The registration screen 70 shown in FIG. 8 includes an input
space 72 for inputting a membership card ID and an input space 74
for inputting a security code. The user inputs the membership card
ID 44A and the security code 48 printed on the point card 40 issued
at the actual shop in the respective input spaces 72, 74, and then
clicks a registration button 76. When the registration button 76 is
clicked, a link between the user ID used in the electronic commerce
service (the virtual shopping mall) and the membership card issued
at the actual shop is registered in the database 15. Note that the
cancel button 78 is a button to stop the ongoing procedure.
[0106] Note that a user who has two or more membership cards issued
at two or more actual shops can have these membership cards linked
to their own user ID. In this case, the user repetitively perform
the procedure at step S103.
[0107] FIG. 9 shows one example of the list screen 60 with two or
more membership cards of the user linked to their own user ID.
Specifically, FIG. 9 shows the list screen 60 displayed when the
user has their membership cards issued at the respective actual
shops A and B linked to their own user ID.
[0108] The list screen 60 shown in FIG. 9 shows a list 64 of
membership cards linked to the user ID. Information on the
membership card is shown in the list 64. In the example shown in
FIG. 9, the list 64 includes "membership card ID", "shop name",
"type", and "valid" fields.
[0109] The "shop name" field shows the name of an actual shop that
has issued the membership card. The "type" field indicates the type
of the membership card. That is, the "type" field indicates which
of the point card 40 and the portable terminal (see FIG. 39 to be
described later) the membership card is.
[0110] The "valid" field indicates whether or not the membership
card is valid. When the membership card is valid, it is possible to
earn or use points by presenting the membership card at the actual
shop. Meanwhile, when the membership card is not valid, it is not
possible to use points. That is, when the membership card is not
valid, it is possible to earn points by presenting the membership
card at the actual shop but not to use the points. Alternatively,
it may be arranged such that it is also not possible to earn points
when the membership card is not valid.
[0111] The user can change the state of validity of the membership
card. The link button 66 displayed in association with each
membership card is used to change the state of validity of the
membership card. As shown in FIG. 9, when the membership card is
valid, the link button 66 for invalidating the membership card is
displayed. Meanwhile, when the membership card is not valid, a link
button for validating the membership card is displayed.
[0112] The user can change the validity state of the membership
card by clicking the link button 66. For example, a user who has
lost their membership card can invalidate the membership card. Once
the membership card is invalidated, the points is no longer usable.
This can prevent unauthorized use of the membership card by another
person who has obtained the membership card.
[0113] After completion of the procedure at step S103 in FIG. 3,
the membership card issued at the actual shop becomes no longer
temporary. With the above, it becomes possible to use the points at
the actual shop.
[0114] Further, after completion of the procedure at step S103 in
FIG. 3, the user can use points earned in the virtual shopping mall
at the actual shop. In the case where the membership cards issued
at the actual shops A and B are linked to the user ID used in the
virtual shopping mall, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, the user
can use the points earned in the virtual shopping mall at the
actual shops A and B.
[0115] Still further, after completion of the procedure at step
S103 in FIG. 3, the user can use the points earned at the actual
shop in the virtual shopping mall. For example, in the case where
the membership cards issued at the actual shops A and B are linked
to the user ID used in the virtual shopping mall as shown in FIG.
9, the user can use the points earned at the actual shops A and B
in the virtual shopping mall. For example, on the order screen 30,
the total number of the points earned by the user in the virtual
shopping mall, the points earned by the user at the actual shop A,
and the points earned by the user at the actual shop B is shown as
the point balance of the user.
[0116] Yet further, after completion of the procedure at step S103
in FIG. 3, the user can use the points earned at an actual shop at
another actual shop. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, in the case
where the membership cards issued at the actual shops A and B are
linked to the user ID used in the virtual shopping mall, the user
can use the points earned at the actual shop A at the actual shop
B.
[0117] In the following, a structure for implementing the above
described point service will be described. Initially, information
stored in the database 15 will be described. FIGS. 10 to 15 show
one example of the information stored in the database 15.
[0118] FIG. 10 shows one example of a user table. The user table
shows a list of users who use the virtual shopping mall. For
example, the user table includes "user ID", "password", "user
name", "address", "mail address", and "point balance" fields.
[0119] In the "user ID" field, identification information for
uniquely identifying a user is registered. A user ID may be
designated by the user or automatically determined by the
electronic commerce server 20. In the "password" field, a password
designated by the user is registered.
[0120] In the "user name", "address", and "mail address" fields,
the name, address, and mail address of the user are respectively
registered. The "point balance" field shows the balance of points
earned by the user in the virtual shopping mall.
[0121] FIG. 11 shows one example of a point history table. The
point history table shown in FIG. 11 shows a history of earning or
using points by each user in the virtual shopping mall. For
example, the point history table includes "ID", time and date",
"user ID", "earned point", and used point" fields.
[0122] In the "ID" field, identification information for uniquely
identifying each record in the point history table is registered.
In the "time and date" field, a time and date when points has been
earned or used is registered. In the "user ID" field, the user ID
of a user who has earned or used the points is registered.
[0123] In the "earned point" field, the amount of points earned by
the user by buying a product or the like is registered. The "earned
point" field includes "basic" and "bonus" fields. For example, the
amount of points obtained by multiplying a predetermined percentage
to a purchase price are imparted to the user having bought a
product as basic points. In addition, during a special period, such
as a period of a campaign or the like conducted at a shop, bonus
points may be imparted to the user in addition to the above
mentioned basic points. The "basic" field indicates the basic
points earned by the user; the "bonus" field indicates the bonus
points earned by the user. In the "used point" field, the amount of
points used by the user in buying a product or the like is
registered.
[0124] FIG. 12 shows one example of an actual shop table. The
actual shop table shows a list of actual shops that are members of
the point service provided by the point system 1. For example, the
actual shop table includes "actual shop ID", "shop name",
"postcode", "address", and "telephone number" fields. In the
"actual shop ID" field, identification information for uniquely
identifying an actual shop is registered. The name, postcode,
address, and telephone number of the actual shop are registered in
the "shop name", "postcode", "address", and "telephone number"
fields, respectively.
[0125] FIG. 13 shows one example of a membership card table. The
membership card table shows a list of membership cards for use at
respective actual shops. For example, the membership card table
includes a list of point cards 40 distributed to the respective
actual shops by the managing company of the point system 1. In
addition, the membership card table also includes a list of
portable terminals that are used as a membership card instead of
the point card 40.
[0126] For example, the membership card table includes "membership
card ID", "card ID", "security code", "magnetic code", "actual shop
ID", "type", "validity flag", "link flag", and "point balance"
fields.
[0127] In the "membership card ID" field, identification
information for uniquely identifying a membership card is
registered. In the "card ID" and "security code" fields, the card
ID 46 and the security code 48 printed on the point card 40 are
registered, respectively. In the "magnetic code" field, a magnetic
code recorded on the magnetic stripe 42 of the point card 40 is
registered. In the "actual shop ID" field, the actual shop ID of
the actual shop that has issued the membership card is
registered.
[0128] The "type" field indicates the type of the membership card.
For example, either the value "0" or "1" is registered in the
"type" field. The value "0" indicates that the membership card is a
point card 40; the value "1" indicates that the membership card is
a portable terminal (see FIG. 39 to be described later).
[0129] The "validity flag" field indicates whether or not the
membership card is valid. For example, either the value "0" or "1"
is registered in the "validity flag" field. The value "0" indicates
that the membership card is not valid; the value "1" indicates that
the membership card is valid. Note that, as described above, when
the membership card is not valid, use of points is restricted. That
is, when the membership card is not valid, it is possible to earn
points but not to use the points.
[0130] The "link flag" field indicates whether or not the
membership card is linked to the user ID used in the virtual
shopping mall. For example, either the value "0" or "1" is
registered in the "link flag" field. The value "0" indicates that
the membership card is not linked to the user ID; the value "1"
indicates that the membership card is linked to the user ID.
[0131] Note that before completion of the procedure at step S103 in
FIG. 3, the value "0" is set in the "validity flag" and "link flag"
fields.
[0132] In the "point balance" field, the remaining of the points
imparted to the membership card is registered.
[0133] FIG. 14 shows one example of a point history table. The
point history table shown in FIG. 14 differs from the point history
table shown in FIG. 11 in that the former shows a history of
earning or using points at the respective actual shops.
[0134] The point history table shown in FIG. 14 includes "ID",
"time and date", "membership card ID", "actual shop ID", "earned
point", and "used point" fields. The fields other than the
"membership card ID" and the "actual shop ID" fields are similar to
those in the point history table shown in FIG. 11.
[0135] In the "membership card ID" field, the membership card ID of
a membership card presented by a user when buying a product or
using a service is registered. In the "actual shop ID" field, the
actual shop ID of an actual shop where the user has bought or used
the product or the service is registered.
[0136] FIG. 15 shows one example of a link table. A link table
shows a link between the user ID used in the virtual shopping mall
and the membership card used at the actual shop. For example, when
the registration button 76 on the registration screen 70 is
clicked, a combination of the user ID inputted in the input space
52 on the log-in screen 50 and the membership card ID inputted in
the input space 72 on the registration screen 70 is additionally
registered in the link table.
[0137] In the following, function blocks implemented in the point
system 1 will be described. FIG. 16 is a function block diagram
showing function blocks implemented in the point system 1. As shown
in FIG. 16, the point system 1 includes a point storage unit 80, a
link request receiving unit 82, a link information registration
unit 84, a link information storage unit 86, a use request
receiving unit 88, and a use permission unit 90.
[0138] For example, the point storage unit 80 and the link
information storage unit 86 are implemented using the database 15.
Further, for example, the link request receiving unit 82, the link
information registration unit 84, the use request receiving unit
88, and the use permission unit 90 are implemented by the control
unit 11 of the point management server 10. For example, the control
unit 11 executes processing according to a program, thereby
functioning as these function blocks.
[0139] The point storage unit 80 includes a first point storage
unit 80A and a second point storage unit 80B. The first point
storage unit 80A stores the amount of points imparted to a user in
the virtual shopping mall in association with a user ID of the user
used in the virtual shopping mall (the electronic commerce
service). For example, the first point storage unit 80A stores the
user table (in particular, the "user ID" and "point balance"
fields), such as is shown in FIG. 10.
[0140] The second point storage unit 80B stores the amount of
points, which are imparted to a membership card ID for identifying
a membership card for receiving points at an actual shop, in
association with the membership card ID. For example, the second
point storage unit 80B stores the membership card table (in
particular, the "membership card ID" and "point balance" fields)
such as is shown in FIG. 13.
[0141] The link request receiving unit 82 receives a link request
for linking a user ID and a membership card ID. When the link
request is received, the link information registration unit 84
registers link information indicating a link between the user ID
and the membership card ID in the link information storage unit
86.
[0142] For example, the link information storage unit 86 stores the
link table, such as is shown in FIG. 15. For example, when the
registration button 76 on the registration screen 70 is clicked,
the combination of the user ID inputted in the input space 52 on
the log-in screen 50 and the membership card ID inputted in the
input space 72 on the registration screen 70 is sent from the user
terminal 4 to the point management server 10. The link request
receiving unit 82 receives the combination of the user ID and the
membership card ID as the link request. The link information
registration unit 84 additionally registers the combination of the
user ID and the membership card ID in the link table.
[0143] The use request receiving unit 88 receives a point use
request with a designation of a membership card ID. For example,
when a user wants to use points by presenting the membership card
at an actual shop, the bar code 44B of the membership card (the
point card 40) is read at the actual shop terminal 3, and a point
use request including the membership card ID is sent to the point
management server 10. The use request receiving unit 88 receives
such a point use request.
[0144] When the point use request with a designation of the
membership card ID is received, the use permission unit 90 permits
use of the points stored in association with the user ID linked to
the membership card ID.
[0145] Below, with reference to FIGS. 10, 13, 15, an operation of
the use permission unit 90 will be described. Note that a user
having a user ID "U0001" will be referred to as a "user X"; an
actual shop having an actual shop ID "S0001" will be referred to as
an "actual shop A"; an actual shop having an actual shop ID "S0002"
will be referred to as an "actual shop B". Assume here a case in
which the user X presents a membership card having the membership
card ID "00001" at the actual shop A, and tells that they want to
use points.
[0146] In such a case, a point use request including the membership
card ID "00001" is sent to the point management server 10. Then,
the use permission unit 90 permits use of the points (200 points:
see FIG. 13) stored in association with the membership card ID
"00001".
[0147] Further, as the user ID "U0001" is linked to the membership
card ID "00001" (see FIG. 15), the use permission unit 90 permits
use of the points (100 points: see FIG. 10) stored in association
with the user ID "U0001" as well.
[0148] Still further, as another membership card ID "00101" is also
linked to the user ID "U0001" (see FIG. 15), the use permission
unit 90 permits use of the points (300 points: see FIG. 13) stored
in association with the membership card ID "00101" as well. That
is, the use permission unit 90 permits use of 600 points in
total.
[0149] Note that the use request receiving unit 88 may receive a
point use request with a designation of a user ID. For example,
when a user wants to use points in the virtual shopping mall, a
point use request including the user ID used in the virtual
shopping mall is sent from the electronic commerce server 20 to the
point management server 10. The use request receiving unit 88
receives such a point use request.
[0150] When the point use request with a designation of the user ID
is received, the use permission unit 90 permits use of the points
stored in association with the membership card ID linked to the
user ID.
[0151] Here again, referring to FIGS. 10, 13, 15, an operation of
the use permission unit 90 will be described. Assume a case in
which the user X tells that they want to use points in the virtual
shopping mall. In such a case, a point use request including the
user ID "U0001" of the user X is sent to the point management
server 10. Then, the use permission unit 90 permits use of the
points (100 points: see FIG. 10) stored in association with the
user ID "U0001".
[0152] Further, as the membership cards IDs "00001" and "00101" are
linked to the user ID "U0001" (see FIG. 15), the use permission
unit 90 permits use of the points (200 points: see FIG. 13) stored
in association with the membership card ID "00001" and the points
(300 points: see FIG. 13) stored in association with the membership
card ID "00101" as well. That is, the use permission unit 90
permits use of 600 points in total.
[0153] In the following, processing that is executed in the point
system 1 will be described. FIGS. 17 and 18 show one example of
processing that is executed when the log-in button 56 on the log-in
screen 50 is clicked. The control unit 11 of the point management
server 10 executes the processing shown in FIGS. 17, 18 according
to a program, thereby functioning as the link request receiving
unit 82 and the link information registration unit 84.
[0154] As shown in FIG. 17, when the log-in button 56 is clicked,
the control unit of the user terminal 4 requests the point
management server 10 to perform user authentication (S201). In this
case, the user ID and the password inputted in the respective input
spaces 52, 54 on the log-in screen 50 are sent to the point
management server 10.
[0155] The control unit 11 of the point management server 10 refers
to the user table to determine whether or not the combination of
the user ID and the password received from the user terminal 4 is
authentic (S202). When the combination of the user ID and the
password is not authentic, the control unit 11 sends error screen
data to the user terminal 4 (S206). When the error screen data is
received at the user terminal 4, the control unit of the user
terminal 4 displays an error screen on the display unit (S207).
[0156] Meanwhile, when the combination of the user ID and the
password is authentic, the control unit 11 refers to the link table
and the membership card table to obtain the list of membership
cards linked to the user ID (S203). Then, the control unit 11 sends
data on the list screen 60 to the user terminal 4 (S204). When the
data on the list screen 60 is received at the user terminal 4, the
control unit of the user terminal 4 displays the list screen 60 on
the display unit (S205).
[0157] As shown in FIG. 18, when the new registration button 62 on
the list screen 60 is clicked, the control unit of the user
terminal 4 requests the point management server 10 to send data on
the registration screen 70 (S208). In this case, the control unit
11 sends the data on the registration screen 70 to the user
terminal 4 (S209). When the data on the registration screen 70 is
received, the control unit of the user terminal 4 displays the
registration screen 70 on the display unit (S210).
[0158] When the registration button 76 on the registration screen
70 is clicked, the control unit of the user terminal 4 requests
registration of the membership card (S211). That is, the control
unit of the user terminal 4 sends the membership card ID and the
security code inputted in the respective input spaces 72, 74 on the
registration screen 70 to the point management server 10, and
requests the point management server 10 to link the user ID
inputted on the log-in screen 50 and the membership card ID
inputted in the input space 72 on the registration screen 70.
[0159] When the above described request is received in the point
management server 10, the control unit 11 determines whether or not
the membership card ID received from the user terminal 4 is
authentic (S212). Specifically, for example, when the membership
card ID received from the user terminal 4 satisfies at least one of
the conditions mentioned below, the control unit 11 determines that
the membership card is not authentic.
(A) The membership card ID received from the user terminal 4 is not
registered in the membership card table. (B) The combination of the
membership card ID and the security code received from the user
terminal 4 is not registered in the membership card table. (C) The
membership card ID received from the user terminal 4 is already
linked to any user ID.
[0160] When the membership card ID received from the user terminal
4 does not satisfy any of the above described conditions, the
control unit 11 determines that the membership card ID is
authentic. In this case, the control unit 11 registers the
combination of the user ID (the user ID inputted on the log-in
screen 50) and the membership card ID in the link table (S213).
Further, the control unit 11 accesses the membership card table to
update the "validity flag" and the "link flag" of the membership
card ID from "0" to "1" (S214).
[0161] When step S214 is executed or when it is determined at step
S212 that the membership card ID is not authentic, the control unit
11 refers to the link table and the membership card table to obtain
a list of membership cards linked to the user ID (the user ID
inputted on the log-in screen 50) (S215). Then, the control unit 11
sends data on the list screen 60 to the user terminal 4 (S216).
Note that when it is determined at step S212 that the membership
card ID is not authentic, the control unit 11 may send data on the
list screen 60 on which a message showing that effect is shown to
the user terminal 4.
[0162] When the data on the list screen 60 is received at the user
terminal 4, the control unit of the user terminal 4 displays the
list screen 60 on the display unit (S217).
[0163] In the following, processing that is executed when a user
buys a product in the virtual shopping mall will be described. FIG.
19 shows one example of processing that is executed to display the
order screen 30 on the display unit of the user terminal 4. The
control unit 11 of the point management server 10 executes the
processing shown in FIG. 19 according to a program, thereby
functioning as the use request receiving unit 88 and the use
permission unit 90.
[0164] As shown in FIG. 19, initially, the control unit of the user
terminal 4 requests the electronic commerce server 20 to send data
on the order screen 30 (S301). In this case, information describing
the content of an order made by the user is sent to the electronic
commerce server 20 together with the user ID.
[0165] When the above described request is received in the
electronic commerce server 20, the control unit of the electronic
commerce server 20 requests the point management server 10 to check
the point balance (S302). In this case, the user ID is sent to the
point management server 10. When this request is received in the
point management server 10, the control unit 11 refers to the link
table to determine whether or not a membership card with the valid
flag "1" is linked to the user ID received from the electronic
commerce server 20 (S303). That is, the control unit 11 determines
whether or not a valid membership card is linked to the user
ID.
[0166] When a membership card with the validity flag "1" is linked
to the user ID, the control unit 11 obtains the membership card ID
of the membership card (S304). That is, the control unit 11 obtains
the membership card ID of the valid membership card linked to the
user ID received from the electronic commerce server 20.
[0167] Then, the control unit 11 obtains the point balance from the
user table and the membership card table (S305). For example, when
the user ID received from the electronic commerce server 20 at step
S302 is "U0001" and the membership card IDs obtained at step S304
are "00001" and "00101", the control unit 11 obtains the total
amount of the point balance of the user ID "U0001", the point
balance of the membership card ID "00001", and the point balance of
the membership card ID "00101" as the point balance.
[0168] Meanwhile, when it is determined at step S303 that the
membership card with the validity flag "1" is not linked to the
user ID, the control unit 11 obtains the point balance from the
user table (S306). For example, when the user ID received from the
electronic commerce server 20 at step S302 is "U0002", the control
unit 11 obtains the point balance of the user ID "U0002".
[0169] After execution of step S305 or S306, the control unit 11
notifies the electronic commerce server 20 of the point balance
obtained at step S305 or S306 (S307). When this notice is received
in the electronic commerce server 20, the control unit of the
electronic commerce server 20 sends data on the order screen 30 to
the user terminal 4 (S308). In this case, data on the order screen
30 showing the point balance notified at step S307 is sent to the
user terminal 4. When the data on the order screen 30 is received
at the user terminal 4, the control unit of the user terminal 4
displays the order screen 30 on the display unit (S309).
[0170] FIG. 20 shows one example of processing that is executed
when the order button 34 on the order screen 30 is clicked. Note
that although it is generally a case that a final confirmation
screen is displayed when the order button 34 on the order screen 30
is clicked, it is described here for brevity of description based
on an assumption that no final confirmation screen is
displayed.
[0171] As shown in FIG. 20, initially, the user terminal 4 requests
the electronic commerce server 20 to execute settlement processing
(S401). In this case, for example, information describing the
content of an order made by the user is sent to the electronic
commerce server 20 together with the user ID. Note that the
information describing the content of an order made by the user
includes information as to whether or not the user wants to use
points (that is, whether or not the check box 32 is checked) as
well.
[0172] When the above described request is received in the
electronic commerce server 20, the control unit of the electronic
commerce server 20 determines whether or not the user wants to use
points (S402). When the user wants to use points, the control unit
requests the point management server 10 to execute processing for
using points (S403). In this case, information indicating the
amount of payment due to the user is sent to the point management
server 10 together with the user ID.
[0173] When the above described request is received in the point
management server 10, the control unit 11 refers to the link table
to determine whether or not a membership card with the validity
flag "1" is linked to the user ID received from the electronic
commerce server 20 (S404). That is, the control unit 11 determines
whether or not a valid membership card is linked to the user
ID.
[0174] When a membership card with the validity flag "1" is linked
to the user ID, the control unit 11 obtains the membership card ID
of the membership card (S405). That is, the control unit 11 obtains
the membership card ID of a valid membership card linked to the
user ID received from the point management server 10.
[0175] Then, the control unit 11 decreases the point balance as to
be described below (S406). Below, processing that is executed at
step S406 will be described based on an assumption that the payment
due to the user is 500 JPY, the user ID received from the
electronic commerce server 20 at step S403 is "U0001", and the
membership card IDs obtained at step S405 are "00001" and
"00101".
[0176] In this case, initially, the control unit 11 refers to the
user table to obtain the point balance of the user ID "U0001". In
the example shown in FIG. 10, the point balance of the user ID
"U0001" is 100 points. In this case, as the point balance of the
user ID "U0001" is equal to less than the payment due to the user
(500 JPY), all of the points of the user ID "U0001" are used. That
is, the point balance of the user ID "U0001" is updated to 0.
Further, in this case, the remaining of the payment due to the user
becomes 400 JPY.
[0177] Further, the control unit 11 refers to the membership card
table to obtain the point balance of the membership card ID
"00001". In the example shown in FIG. 13, the point balance of the
membership card ID "00001" is 200 points. In this case, as the
point balance of the membership card ID "00001" is equal to or less
than the remaining of the payment due to the user (400 JPY), all of
the points of the membership card ID "00001" are used. That is, the
point balance of the membership card ID "00001" is updated to 0.
Further, in this case, the remaining of the payment due to the user
becomes 200 JPY.
[0178] Still further, the control unit 11 refers to the membership
card table to obtain the point balance of the membership card ID
"00101". In the example shown in FIG. 13, the point balance of the
membership card ID "00101" is 300 points. In this case, as the
point balance of the membership card ID "00101" is greater than the
remaining of the payment due to the user (200 JPY), the points of
the membership card ID "00101" are used by the amount of points
corresponding to the remaining of the payment due to the user (200
JPY). That is, the point balance of the membership card ID "00101"
is decreasedby 200 points. Further, in this case, the remaining of
the payment due to the user becomes 0 JPY.
[0179] Note that although the point of the membership card ID
"00001" is used prior to that of the membership card ID "00101"
here, the point of the membership card ID "00101" may be used prior
to the point of the membership card ID "00001".
[0180] Meanwhile, when it is determined at step S404 that no
membership card with the validity flag "1" is linked to the user
ID, the control unit 11 decreases the point balance as to be
described below (S407). Below, a case is assumed in which the
payment due to the user is 500 JPY, and the user ID received from
the electronic commerce server 20 at step S403 is "U0002".
[0181] In this case, the control unit 11 refers to the user table
to obtain the point balance of the user ID "U0002". In the example
shown in FIG. 10, the point balance of the user ID "U0002" is 50
points. In this case, as the point balance of the user ID "U0002"
is equal to or less than the payment due to the user (500 JPY), all
of the points of the user ID "U0002" are used. That is, the point
balance of the user ID "U0002" is updated to 0. Further, in this
case, the remaining of the payment due to the user becomes 450
JPY.
[0182] After execution of step S406 or S407, the control unit 11
notifies the electronic commerce server 20 of completion of
processing for using the point (S408). In this case, the amount of
points used and the remaining of the payment due to the user are
notified to the electronic commerce server 20. Alternatively,
either one of the amount of points used and the remaining of the
payment due to the user may be notified to the electronic commerce
server 20.
[0183] When the above described notice is received in the
electronic commerce server 20, the control unit of the electronic
commerce server 20 executes settlement processing based on the
remaining of the payment due to the user (S409). Thereafter, the
control unit requests the point management server 10 to execute
processing for imparting points (S410). In this case, information
indicating the amount of points to be imparted to the user and the
amount of points used by the user is sent to the point management
server 10 together with the user ID. Note that the amount of points
to be imparted to a user who has used points may be determined
based on the original amount of payment or the amount actually paid
by the user.
[0184] When the above described request is received in the point
management server 10, the control unit 11 accesses the user table
to increase the point balance of the user ID received from the
electronic commerce server 20 (S411). That is, the point balance of
the user ID received from the electronic commerce server 20 is
increased by the amount of points to be imparted to the user. Then,
the control unit 11 executes registration in the point history
table (S412). Thereafter, the control unit 11 notifies the
electronic commerce server 20 of completion of the processing for
imparting points (S413).
[0185] When this notice is received in the electronic commerce
server 20, the control unit of the electronic commerce server 20
sends data on a completion screen to the user terminal 4 (S414).
When the data on the completion screen is received at the user
terminal 4, the control unit of the user terminal 4 displays the
completion screen on the display unit (S415).
[0186] Note that although it is described in the above that the
processing for imparting points is executed immediately after
completion of the settlement processing, the processing for
imparting points may be collectively executed during, for example,
a time band with a fewer processing load (for example, at
midnight).
[0187] In the following, processing that is executed when a user
presents the point card 40 (a membership card) in buying a product
or using a service at the actual shop will be described. FIGS. 21
and 22 show one example of processing that is executed when the bar
code 44B of the point card 40 presented by the user is read at the
actual shop terminal 3. The control unit 11 of the point management
server 10 executes the processing shown in FIGS. 21 and 22
according to a program, thereby functioning as the use request
receiving unit 88 and the use permission unit 90.
[0188] As shown in FIG. 21, initially, the control unit of the
actual shop terminal 3 requests the point management server 10 to
check the point balance (S501). In this case, the membership card
ID of the point card 40 presented by the user is sent to the point
management server 10.
[0189] When the above described request is received in the point
management server 10, the control unit 11 refers to the membership
card table to determine whether or not the validity flag of the
membership card ID received from the actual shop terminal 3
indicates "1" (S502). That is, the control unit 11 determines
whether or not the membership card presented by the user is
valid.
[0190] A case in which the validity flag of the membership card ID
does not indicate "1" refers to a case in which the membership card
presented by the user is not valid and it is thus not possible to
use points. In this case, the control unit 11 notifies the actual
shop terminal 3 that it is not possible to use points (S506).
[0191] Meanwhile, when the validity flag of the membership card ID
indicates "1", the control unit 11 determines whether or not the
membership card ID received from the actual shop terminal 3 is
linked to a user ID (S503). When the membership card ID is linked
to the user ID, the control unit 11 obtains the user ID (S504).
Then, the control unit 11 obtains the point balance from the user
table and the membership card table (S505).
[0192] Assume here a case in which the membership card ID received
from the actual shop terminal 3 at step S501 is "00001" and the
user ID obtained at step S504 is "U0001". In this case, the control
unit 11 refers to the membership card table to obtain the point
balance of the membership card ID "00001". Further, the control
unit 11 refers to the user table to obtain the point balance of the
user ID "U0001". Still further, the control unit 11 refers to the
membership card table to obtain the point balance of another
membership card ID "00101" linked to the user ID "U0001". The
control unit 11 obtains the total value of these point balances as
the point balance. Then, the control unit 11 notifies the actual
shop terminal 3 of the point balance obtained (S506).
[0193] Meanwhile, a case in which it is determined at step S503
that the membership card ID is not linked to any user ID refers to
a case in which the membership card presented by the user is in a
temporary state and it is thus not possible to use points. In this
case, the control unit 11 notifies the actual shop terminal 3 that
it is impossible to use points (S506).
[0194] When the notice from the point management server 10 is
received at the actual shop terminal 3, the content of the notice
is displayed on the display unit of the actual shop terminal 3.
Based on the content displayed, a sales staff of the actual shop
asks the user if they want to use points. When the user wants to
use points, the sales staff performs an operation for instructing
to use points. Note that the operation of instructing to use points
cannot be performed when it is not possible to use points.
[0195] As shown in FIG. 22, the control unit of the actual shop
terminal 3 determines whether or not the user wants to use points
(S507). When the user wants to use points, the control unit
requests the point management server 10 to execute processing for
using points (S508). In this case, information indicating the
amount of payment due to the user is sent to the point management
server 10 together with the membership card ID of the point card 40
presented by the user.
[0196] When the above described request is received in the point
management server 10, the control unit 11 refers to the link table
to obtain the user ID linked to the membership card ID received
from the actual shop terminal 3 (S509). Then, the control unit 11
decreases the point balance as to be described below (S510).
[0197] Below, a case is assumed in which payment due to the user is
500 JPY, and the user ID received from the actual shop terminal 3
at step S508 is "00001" and the user ID obtained at step S509 is
"U0001".
[0198] In this case, initially, the control unit 11 refers to the
membership card table to obtain the point balance of the membership
card ID "00001". In the example shown in FIG. 13, the point balance
of the membership card ID "00001" is 200 points. In this case, as
the point balance of the membership card ID "00001" is equal to or
less than the payment due to the user (500 JPY), all of the points
of the membership card ID "00001" are used for the payment. That
is, the point balance of the membership card ID "00001" is updated
to 0. Further, in this case, the remaining of the payment due to
the user becomes 300 JPY.
[0199] Further, the control unit 11 refers to the user table to
obtain the point balance of the user ID "U0001". In the example
shown in FIG. 10, the point balance of the user ID "U0001" is 100
points. In this case, as the point balance of the user ID "U0001"
is equal to or less than the remaining of the payment due to the
user (300 JPY), all of the points of the user ID "U0001" are used.
That is, the point balance of the user ID "U0001" is updated to 0.
Further, in this case, the remaining of the payment due to the user
becomes 200 JPY.
[0200] Further, the control unit 11 refers to the membership card
table to obtain the point balance of another membership card ID
"00101" linked to the user ID "U0001". In the example shown in FIG.
13, the point balance of the membership card ID "00101" is 300
points. In this case, as the point balance of the membership card
ID "00101" is greater than the remaining of the payment due to the
user (200 JPY), the point of the membership card ID "00101" are
used by the amount of points corresponding to the amount of payment
due to the user (200 JPY). That is, the point balance of the
membership card ID "00101" is decreased by 200 points. Further, in
this case, the remaining of the payment due to the user becomes 0
JPY.
[0201] Note here that although the point of the user ID "U0001" is
used prior to the point of the other membership card ID "00101"
linked to the user ID "U0001", the point of the membership card ID
"00101" may be used prior to the point of the user ID "U0001".
[0202] After execution of step S510, the control unit 11 notifies
the actual shop terminal 3 of completion of the processing for
using points (S511). In this case, the amount of points used and
the remaining of the payment due to the user are notified to the
actual shop terminal 3. Alternatively, either one of the amount of
points used and the remaining of the payment due to the user may be
informed to the actual shop terminal 3.
[0203] When the above described notice is received at the actual
shop terminal 3, the control unit of the actual shop terminal 3
displays the content of the notice on the display unit. The sales
staff of the actual shop checks the content, and then performs an
operation for settlement processing. The control unit of the actual
shop terminal 3 executes the settlement processing according to the
operation by the sales staff (S512).
[0204] When the settlement processing is completed, the control
unit of the actual shop terminal 3 requests the point management
server 10 to execute processing for imparting points (S513). In
this case, information indicating the amount of points to be
imparted to the user and the amount of points used by the user is
sent to the point management server 10 together with the membership
card ID. Note that the amount of points to be imparted to a user
who has used points may be determined based on the original amount
of payment or the amount actually paid by the user.
[0205] When the above described request is received in the point
management server 10, the control unit 11 accesses the membership
card table to increase the point balance of the membership card ID
received from the actual shop terminal 3 (S514). Specifically, the
point balance of the membership card ID received from the actual
shop terminal 3 is increased by the amount of points to be imparted
to the user. Further, the control unit 11 executes registration in
the point history table (S515). Thereafter, the control unit 11
notifies the actual shop terminal 3 of completion of the processing
for imparting points (S516). Then, when this notice is received at
the actual shop terminal 3, the actual shop terminal 3 stores the
content of the notice as a log in the storage unit (S517).
[0206] Although it is described in the above that the processing
for imparting points is executed immediately after completion of
the settlement processing, the processing for imparting points may
be collectively executed during, for example, a time band with a
fewer processing load (for example, at midnight).
[0207] According to the point system 1 according to the first
embodiment described above, it is possible to use points earned in
the virtual shopping mall (the electronic commerce) at the actual
shop. In particular, according to the point system 1, it is
possible to use points, that are earned in the virtual shopping
mall before completion of registration of the point card 40, at the
actual shop.
[0208] Further, according to the point system 1, it is possible to
use points earned at an actual shop in the virtual shopping mall
(the electronic commerce). Further, according to the point system
1, it is possible to use points earned at an actual shop at another
actual shop.
[0209] The point system 1 according to the first embodiment
includes function blocks other than those shown in FIG. 16. For
example, the point system 1 includes the function blocks shown in
FIG. 23. That is, the point system 1 includes a use restriction
request receiving unit 92 and a use restriction unit 94.
[0210] The use restriction request receiving unit 92 receives a use
restriction request with a designation of a membership card ID.
When the use restriction request with a designation of a membership
card ID is received, the use restriction unit 94 restricts use of
the membership card identified by the membership card ID.
[0211] For example, when the link button 66 correlated to the
membership card ID "00001" is clicked on the list screen 60, a
request for changing the validity flag is sent together with the
membership card ID "00001" from the user terminal 4 to the point
management server 10. The use restriction request receiving unit 92
receives the above described request. When this request is
received, the use restriction unit 94 changes the validity flag of
the membership card ID "00001".
[0212] That is, when the validity flag of the membership card ID
"00001" indicates "1", the use restriction unit 94 changes the
validity flag of the membership card ID "00001" to "0". In this
case, the membership card with the membership card ID "00001"
becomes invalid. Note that when the validity flag of the membership
card ID "00001" indicates "0", the use restriction unit 94 changes
the validity flag of the membership card ID "00001" to "1". In this
case, the membership card with the membership card ID "00001"
becomes valid.
[0213] In the following, processing that is executed in the point
system 1 to implement the use restriction request receiving unit 92
and the use restriction unit 94 will be described. FIG. 24 shows
one example of processing that is executed when the link button 66
on the list screen 60 is clicked. The control unit 11 of the point
management server 10 executes the processing shown in FIG.
according to a program, thereby functioning as the use restriction
request receiving unit 92 and the use restriction unit 94. In the
following, the processing shown in FIG. 24 is described based on an
assumption that the link button 66 correlated to the membership
card ID "00001" is clicked.
[0214] When the link button 66 correlated to the membership card ID
"00001" is clicked, the control unit of the user terminal 4
requests the point management server 10 to change the
validity/invalidity of the membership card with the membership card
ID "00001" (S601).
[0215] When the above described request is received in the point
management server 10, the control unit 11 changes the validity flag
of the membership card ID "00001" (S602). When the validity flag of
the membership card ID "00001" indicates "1", the control unit 11
updates the validity flag to "0", and when the validity flag of the
membership card ID "00001" indicates "0", the control unit 11
updates the validity flag to "1".
[0216] Steps S603 to S605, to be executed thereafter, are similar
to steps S203 to S205 in FIG. 7, and therefore not explained
here.
[0217] According to the point system 1, management of the
membership card with link to the user ID allows a user to desirably
change the validity/invalidity of the membership card.
[0218] Note that the use restriction request receiving unit 92 and
the use restriction unit 94 are not indispensable structural
elements of the point system 1, and may be omitted. When the use
restriction unit 94 is omitted, step S502 in the processing shown
in FIG. 21, for example, may be omitted.
Second Embodiment
[0219] A second embodiment of the present invention will be
described. An overall structure of a point system 1 according to
the second embodiment of the present invention is similar to that
in the first embodiment (see FIG. 1).
[0220] In the point system 1 according to the second embodiment,
when a membership card used at an actual shop is linked to a user
ID used in the virtual shopping mall through the procedure at step
S103 in FIG. 3, the point balance of the membership card is
integrated into the point balance of the user ID used in the
virtual shopping mall. Specifically, in the point system 1
according to the second embodiment, the points earned at the actual
shop are added to the points earned in the virtual shopping mall,
and the resultant point balance is stored in the "point balance"
field of the user table. In this regard, the point system 1
according to the second embodiment differs from that in the first
embodiment.
[0221] FIGS. 25 and 26 show one example of change in the membership
card table and the user table when the membership card IDs "00001"
and "00101" are linked to the user ID "U0001". Note that, for
brevity of description, fields other than the "membership card ID",
"validity flag", "link flag", and "point balance" fields are not
shown in FIG. 25, and fields other than the "user ID" and "point
balance" fields are not shown in FIG. 26.
[0222] When the membership card IDs "00001" and "00101" are linked
to the user ID "U0001", the validity flags and the link flags of
the membership card IDs "00001" and "00101" are updated from "0" to
"1", as shown in FIG. 25. This is similar to the first
embodiment.
[0223] When the above described link is made, the point balances of
the membership card IDs "00001" and "00101" are integrated into
that of the user ID "U0001". That is, the points earned by the user
at actual shops are integrated into the points earned by the user
in the virtual shopping mall.
[0224] That is, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the point balance
(200) of the membership card ID "00001" and the point balance (300)
of the membership card ID "00101" are added to the point balance
(100) of the user ID "U0001", whereby the point balance of the user
ID "U0001" is updated to "600". In the above, the point balances of
the membership card IDs "00001" and "00101" are updated to "0".
[0225] In imparting thereafter points to the membership card ID
"00001" or "00101", the point is added to the point balance of the
user ID "U0001". That is, points earned at the actual shop is added
to the point balance of the user ID "U0001".
[0226] In the following, processing that is executed in the point
system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described.
Initially, one example of processing that is executed when the
log-in button 56 on the log-in screen 50 is clicked will be
described.
[0227] When the log-in button 56 is clicked, the processing shown
in FIG. 17 is initially executed, similar to the first embodiment.
However, in the point system. 1 according to the second embodiment,
the processing shown in FIG. 27 is executed instead of the
processing shown in FIG. 18, when the new registration button 62 on
the list screen 60 is clicked.
[0228] Steps S701 to S707 in FIG. 27 are similar to steps S208 to
S214 in FIG. 18 and thus not described here.
[0229] At step S708, the control unit 11 integrates the point
balance of the membership card ID received from the user terminal 4
at step S704 (that is, the membership card ID inputted in the input
space 72 on the registration screen 70) into the point balance of
the user ID inputted in the input space 52 on the log-in screen
50.
[0230] Assume here a case in which the user ID inputted in the
input space 52 on the log-in screen 50 is "U0001" and the
membership card ID inputted in the input space 72 on the
registration screen 70 is "00001". In this case, the control unit
11 integrates the point balance of the membership card ID "00001"
into the point balance of the user ID "U0001". That is, the control
unit 11 refers to the membership card table to obtain the point
balance of the membership card ID "00001". Thereafter, the control
unit 11 accesses the user table to add the point balance obtained
as described above to the point balance of the user ID "U0001".
Further, the control unit 11 accesses the membership card table to
update the point balance of the membership card ID "00001" to
"0".
[0231] Steps S709 to S711 are similar to steps S215 to S217 in FIG.
18, and thus not described here.
[0232] In the following, processing that is executed when a user
buys a product in the virtual shopping mall will be described. FIG.
28 shows one example of processing for displaying the order screen
30 on the display unit of the user terminal 4. In the point system
1 according to the second embodiment, the processing shown in FIG.
28 is executed instead of the processing shown in FIG. 19.
[0233] Steps S801 and S802 in FIG. 28 are similar to steps S301 and
S302 in FIG. 19, and thus not described here.
[0234] At step S803, the control unit 11 obtains the point balance
from the user table. For example, in the case where the user ID of
a user who buys a product is "U0001", the control unit 11 refers to
the user table to obtain the point balance of the user ID "U0001".
In the point system 1 according to the second embodiment, as the
point balances of the membership card IDs "00001" and "00101",
which are linked to the user ID "U0001", are integrated into the
point balance of the user ID "U0001", the control unit 11 does not
need to refer to the membership card table, different from the
first embodiment (see step 305).
[0235] Steps S804 to S806 are similar to steps S307 to S309 in FIG.
19, and thus not described here.
[0236] FIG. 29 shows one example of processing that is executed
when the order button 34 on the order screen 30 is clicked. In the
point system 1 according to the second embodiment, the processing
shown in FIG. 29 is executed instead of the processing shown in
FIG. 20.
[0237] Steps S901 to 903 in FIG. 29 are similar to steps S401 to
S403 in FIG. 20, and thus not described here.
[0238] At step S904, the control unit 11 decreases the point
balance as to be described below. The processing executed at step
S904 will be described based on an assumption that the payment due
to the user is 500 JPY and the user ID received from the electronic
commerce server 20 at step S903 is "U0001".
[0239] In this case, initially, the control unit 11 refers to the
user table to obtain the point balance of the user ID "U0001". In
the example shown in FIG. 26, the point balance of the user ID
"U0001" is 600 points. In this case, as the point balance of the
user ID "U0001" is greater than the payment due to the user (500
JPY), the amount of points corresponding to the payment due to the
user is deducted from the point balance of the user ID "U0001".
That is, the point balance of the user ID "U0001" is updated to 100
points. Further, in this case, the remaining of the payment due to
the user becomes 0 JPY.
[0240] If the point balance of the user ID "U0001" is equal to or
less than the payment due to the user, all of the points of the
user ID "U0001" are used. That is, the point balance of the user ID
"U0001" is updated to 0 point. Further, in this case, a price
obtained by deducting the points used from the original amount of
payment makes the remaining of the payment due to the user.
[0241] Steps S905 to S912 are similar to steps S408 to S415 in FIG.
20, and therefore not described here.
[0242] In the following, processing that is executed when a user
presents the point card 40 (the membership card) in buying a
product or using a service at the actual shop will be described.
FIGS. 30 and 31 show one example of processing that is executed
when the bar code 44B of the point card 40 presented by the user is
read at the actual shop terminal 3. In the point system 1 according
to the second embodiment, the processing shown in FIGS. 30 and 31
is executed instead of the processing shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.
[0243] Steps S1001 to S1004 and S1006 in FIG. 30 are similar to
S501 to S504 and S506 in FIG. 21, and therefore not described
here.
[0244] At step S1005, the control unit 11 refers to the user table
to obtain the point balance of the user ID obtained at step
S1004.
[0245] Steps S1007 to S1013 in FIG. 31 are similar to steps S507 to
S513 in FIG. 22, and thus not described here.
[0246] When the above described request is received in the point
management server 10 at step S1013, the control unit 11 refers to
the link table to obtain the user ID linked to the membership card
ID received from the actual shop terminal 3 (S1014). Then, the
control unit 11 accesses the user table to increase the point
balance of the user ID obtained at step S1014 (S1015). That is, the
point balance of the user ID obtained at step S1014 is increased by
the amount of points to be imparted to the user.
[0247] Steps S1016 to S1018 in FIG. 31 are similar to steps S515 to
S517 in FIG. 22, and thus not described here.
[0248] Although it is described in the above that the processing
for imparting points is executed immediately after completion of
the settlement processing, the processing for imparting points may
be collectively executed during, for example, a time band with a
fewer processing load (for example, at midnight).
[0249] According to the point system 1 according to the second
embodiment as well, it is possible to use points earned in the
virtual shopping mall (the electronic commerce) at the actual shop,
similar to the first embodiment. Further, it is possible to use
points, which are earned in the virtual shopping mall before
completion of registration of the point card 40, at the actual
shop.
[0250] According to the point system 1 according to the second
embodiment, it is possible to use points earned at the actual shop
in the virtual shopping mall (the electronic commerce transaction),
similar to the first embodiment. Further, it is possible to use
points earned at an actual shop at another actual shop.
Third Embodiment
[0251] A third embodiment of the present invention will be
described. An overall structure of a point system 1 according to
the third embodiment of the present invention is similar to that in
the first embodiment (see FIG. 1).
[0252] The point system 1 according to the third embodiment differs
from that in the first embodiment in which the number of membership
cards that can be linked to a single user is limited to a number
equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit number.
[0253] Processing that is executed in the point system 1 according
to the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 32 explains
processing that is executed when the log-in button 56 on the log-in
screen 50 is clicked. In the point system 1 according to the third
embodiment, the processing shown in FIG. 32 is executed instead of
the processing shown in FIG. 17.
[0254] Steps S1101 to S1103 in FIG. 32 are similar to steps S201 to
S203 in FIG. 17, and are thus not described here.
[0255] At step S1104, the control unit 11 determines whether or not
the number of membership cards linked to the user ID received from
the user terminal 4 has reached the upper limit number. When the
number of membership cards linked to the user ID has reached the
upper limit number, the control unit 11 sends data on a list screen
60 in which new registration of a membership card is restricted
(prohibited) to the user terminal 4 at step S1105.
[0256] FIG. 33 shows one example of the list screen 60 in which new
registration of a membership card is restricted. Specifically, FIG.
33 shows a case in which the upper limit number of membership cards
which can be linked to a single user ID is "3". The new
registration button 62 is not displayed on the list screen 60 shown
in FIG. 33, and a message 68 to the effect that the number of
membership cards has reached the upper limit number is displayed
instead. Alternatively, the new registration button 62 may be
displayed in an invalid state (that is, a state not accepting a
click) rather than being not displayed.
[0257] Steps S1105 to S1108 in FIG. 32 are similar to steps S204 to
S207 in FIG. 17, and thus not described here.
[0258] According to the point system 1 according to the third
embodiment, it is possible to restrict the number of membership
cards which can be linked to a single user ID. That is, according
to the point system 1 according to the third embodiment, it is
possible to prevent a situation in which an excessively large
number of membership cards are linked to a single user ID.
Fourth Embodiment
[0259] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be
described. An overall structure of a point system 1 according to
the fourth embodiment of the present invention 1 is similar to that
in the first embodiment (see FIG.
[0260] The point system 1 according to the fourth embodiment
differs from that in the first embodiment in that the former
includes a structure for preventing unauthorized use of a
membership card. That is, the point system 1 according to the
fourth embodiment includes the function blocks shown in FIG. 34 in
addition to those shown in FIG. 16 (and FIG. 23). That is, the
point system 1 according to the fourth embodiment includes a first
determination unit 96, a second determination unit 98, and a use
restriction unit 100.
[0261] In the case where a first membership card ID and a second
membership card ID are linked to a single user ID, the first
determination unit 96 determines whether or not the location of a
first actual shop at which the first membership card identified by
the first membership card ID has been used is far away from the
location of a second actual shop at which the second membership
card identified by the second membership card ID has been used.
That is, the first determination unit 96 determines, based on a
predetermined determination criterion, whether or not the
difference in location between the first actual shop and the second
actual shop is large.
[0262] Note here that the above mentioned "determination criterion"
refers to a determination criterion for determining whether or not
the difference in location between the first actual shop and the
second actual shop is large.
[0263] For example, the above mentioned "determination criterion"
may be "whether or not the distance between the location of the
first actual shop and that of the second actual shop is longer than
a reference distance". In this case, it is necessary to have
information necessary to calculate the distance between actual
shops registered in the actual shop table. For example, it is
necessary to have the latitude and the longitude of the location of
each actual shop registered in the actual shop table.
[0264] Further, for example, the above mentioned "determination
criterion" may be "whether or not the administrative district of
the location of the first actual shop differs from that of the
second actual shop". For example, an "administrative district"
corresponds to "prefecture" in Japan, "state or county" in the
U.S., "province or region" in China, "special city, metropolitan
city, or province" in Korea. In the case of Japan, for example, the
above mentioned "determination criterion" may be "whether or not
the prefecture of the location of the first actual shop differs
from that of the second actual shop". Alternatively, an
"administrative district" may refer to an administrative district
subordinate to the administrative district mentioned above as
examples. In the case of Japan, for example, the above mentioned
"determination criterion" may be "whether or not the city, town, or
village of the location of the first actual shop differs from that
of the second actual shop".
[0265] Further, for example, the above mentioned "determination
criterion" may be "whether or not a predetermined part (or the
whole) of the postcode of the location of the first actual shop
differs from a predetermined part (or the whole) of the postcode of
the location of the second actual shop". For example, in the case
where a number that is a combination of an n-digit number (n: an
integer of one or greater) identifying a region and an m-digit
number (m: an integer of one or greater) identifying additional
information (a post office in charge of collection and delivery, or
the like) is used as a postcode, the above mentioned "determination
criterion" may be "whether or not the first n-digit number of the
postcode of the location of the first actual shop differ from the
first n-digit number of the postcode of the location of the second
actual shop". In the case of Japan, for example, as a seven-digit
number obtained by combining a three-digit number identifying a
region with a four-digit number identifying a post office in charge
of collection and delivery is used as a postcode, the above
mentioned "determination criterion" may be "whether or not the
first three-digits of the postcode of the location of the first
actual shop differ from the first three-digits of the postcode of
the location of the second actual shop". Alternatively, in the case
where a number including only an n-digit number (n: one or more
integer) identifying a region is used as a postcode, the above
mentioned "determination criterion" may be "whether or not the
postcode of the location of the first actual shop differs from the
postcode of the location of the second actual shop".
[0266] Further, for example, in the case where a telephone number
includes a number identifying a region, the above mentioned
"determination criterion" may be "whether or not the regional
number of the telephone number of the location of the first actual
shop differs from the regional number of the telephone number of
the location of the second actual shop". For example, as the
telephone number of a fixed telephone in Japan includes an area
code identifying an area, the above mentioned "determination
criterion" may be "whether or not the area code of the telephone
number of the location of the first actual shop differs from the
area code of the telephone number of the location of the second
actual shop".
[0267] Further, for example, a combination of administrative
districts (in the case of Japan, for example, prefecture, city,
town, village, or the like) that are considered far away from each
other may be defined in advance. Then, the above mentioned
"determination criterion" may be "whether or not the combination of
the administrative district (in the case of Japan, for example,
prefecture, city, town, village, or the like) of the location of
the first actual shop and the administrative district (in the case
of Japan, for example, prefecture, city, town, village, or the
like) of the location of the second actual shop coincide with any
of the above described predetermined combinations".
[0268] Further, for example, a combination of postcodes (or
telephone numbers or the like) that are considered far away from
each other may be defined in advance. Then, the above mentioned
"determination criterion" may be "whether or not the combination of
the postcode (or a telephone number or the like) of the location of
the first actual shop and the postcode (or telephone numbers or the
like) of the location of the second actual shop coincides with any
of the above described predetermined combinations".
[0269] In the case where a first membership card ID and a second
membership card ID are linked to a single user ID, the second
determination unit 98 determines whether or not the time and date
(a first time and date) at which the first membership card
identified by the first membership card ID is used at the first
actual shop is close to the time and date (a second time and date)
at which the second membership card identified by the second
membership card ID is used at the second actual shop. That is, the
second determination unit 98 determines, based on a predetermined
determination criterion, whether or not the difference between the
first time and date and the second time and date is small.
[0270] Note here that the above mentioned "determination criterion"
is a determination criterion for determining whether or not the
difference between the first time and date and the second time and
date is small.
[0271] For example, the above mentioned "determination criterion"
may be "whether or not the difference in time between the first
time and date and the second time and date is smaller than a
reference period of time". Alternatively, the above mentioned
"determination criterion" may be "whether or not the first time and
date and the second time and date belong to the same day".
[0272] The use restriction unit 100 restricts use of at least one
of the first and second membership cards based on the result of
determination by the first determination unit 96 and the result of
determination by the second determination unit 98.
[0273] For example, when the difference in the location between the
first actual shop and the second actual shop is large, and the
difference between the first time and date and the second time and
date is small, the use restriction unit 100 restricts use of at
least one of the first and second membership cards. That is, in the
case where the location of the first actual shop is far away from
the location of the second actual shop and the first time and date
is close to the second time and date, the use restriction unit 100
restricts use of at least one of the first and second membership
cards.
[0274] Note that "to restrict use of a membership card" means, for
example, to prohibit use of points. Alternatively, "to restrict use
of a membership card" means to prohibit both use and earning of
points. For example, the use restriction unit 100 changes the
validity flag of the membership card to "0" to thereby restrict use
of the membership card.
[0275] A case in which the location of the first actual shop is far
away from the location of the second actual shop and the first time
and date is close to the second time and date corresponds to a case
in which the first and second membership cards linked to a single
user ID have been used by two or more persons. In this case, it is
highly likely that at least one of the users has used the
membership card for fraud. Regarding this point, according to the
point system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, as the first and
second membership cards are invalidated in such a case, it is
possible to prevent unauthorized use of the first and second
membership cards.
[0276] Note that according to the point system 1 according to the
fourth embodiment, in the case where membership cards for use by
two or more users are linked to a single user ID, use of these
membership cards is restricted. Therefore, according to the point
system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, in the case where, for
example, there is a rule defining that a membership card for use by
only a single user can be linked to a single user ID, it is
possible to prevent use of a membership card that violates such a
rule.
[0277] A function for preventing unauthorized use of a membership
card such as is described above is useful also in a point system
that does not include a function for common use of points between a
virtual shopping mall (an electronic commerce) and an actual shop
or a function for common use of points between a plurality of
actual shops (see the sixth embodiment to be described later).
Fifth Embodiment
[0278] A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be
described. An overall structure of a point system 1 according to
the fifth embodiment of the present invention is similar to that in
the first embodiment (see FIG. 1).
[0279] The point system 1 according to the fifth embodiment differs
from that in the first embodiment and the second embodiment in that
the former includes a structure for leading a user of the virtual
shopping mall (the electronic commerce) to the actual shop.
[0280] In the point system 1 according to the fifth embodiment,
when a web page provided by the point management server 10 is
accessed from the user terminal 4, a campaign screen 110 such as is
shown in FIG. 35, for example, is displayed.
[0281] The campaign screen 110 includes a list 112 of actual shops
that are conducting or scheduled to conduct a campaign. An actual
shop conducting the campaign, content of the campaign, a campaign
period, or the like are shown in the list 112.
[0282] In the list 112, a link button 114 for participating in a
campaign conducted at an actual shop is shown in association with
the actual shop. A user who wants to participate in the campaign
clicks the link button 114. When the link button 114 is clicked,
the user's intention of participating in the campaign is notified
to the point management server 10, and registered in the point
system 1.
[0283] When a user having participated in the campaign buys a
product at an actual shop conducting the campaign, more points are
imparted to the user than those to be imparted to a user having not
participated in the campaign. For example, a bonus point is
imparted in addition to basic points. In this manner, it is
possible to lead a user of the virtual shopping mall (the
electronic commerce) to the actual shop to do shopping.
[0284] In the following, a structure for implementing the above
will be described. Initially, data stored in the database 15 will
be described.
[0285] FIG. 36 shows one example of a campaign table. A campaign
table shows a list of campaigns. The campaign table shown in FIG.
36 includes "campaign ID", "actual shop ID", "content", and
"period" fields. In the "campaign ID" field, identification
information for uniquely identifying a campaign is registered. In
the "actual shop ID" field, the actual shop ID of a shop conducting
the campaign is registered. In the "content" field, content of the
campaign is registered. In the "period" field, a campaign period is
registered.
[0286] FIG. 37 shows one example of a participation situation
table. The participation situation table is a table showing a
participation situation of a user for a campaign. The participation
situation table shown in FIG. 37 includes "user ID" and "campaign
ID" fields. In the "user ID" field, the user ID of a user having
participated in the campaign is registered. In the "campaign ID"
field, the campaign ID of a campaign in which the user has
participated is registered.
[0287] The point system 1 according to the fifth embodiment
includes function blocks shown in FIG. 38 in addition to those
shown in FIG. 16 (and FIG. 23). That is, the point system 1
according to the fifth embodiment includes a participation request
receiving unit 102, a participation situation information storage
unit 104, and an imparting unit 106.
[0288] For example, the participation situation information storage
unit 104 is implemented using the database 15. The participation
request receiving unit 102 and the imparting unit 106 are
implemented by the control unit 11 of the point management server
10. That is, the control unit 11 of the point management server 10
executes processing according to a program, thereby functioning as
the participation request receiving unit 102 and the imparting unit
106.
[0289] The participation request receiving unit 102 receives a
request from a user for participating in a campaign conducted by an
actual shop. In the point system 1 according to the fifth
embodiment, when the link button 114 on the campaign screen 110 is
clicked, a request for participating in a campaign is sent to the
point management server 10. In this case, the user ID of a user who
wants to participate in the campaign as well is sent to the point
management server 10. The participation request receiving unit 102
receives the above described participation request.
[0290] The participation situation information storage unit 104
stores the participation situation information in association with
a user ID. The participation situation information is information
indicating whether or not a participation request has been received
from the user identified by the user ID. For example, the
participation situation information storage unit 104 stores the
participation situation table such as is shown in FIG. 37.
[0291] The imparting unit 106 increases or decreases the amount of
points to be imparted to a user who presents a membership card at
an actual shop in buying or using a product or a service, based on
the participation situation information stored in association with
the user ID linked to the membership card ID of the membership
card.
[0292] For example, when the user has not participated in the
campaign conducted by the actual shop, the imparting unit 106
imparts points to be normally imparted to the user. Meanwhile, when
the user has participated in the campaign conducted by the actual
shop, the imparting unit 106 imparts more points to the user than
those to be normally imparted.
[0293] Alternatively, when the user has participated in the
campaign conducted by the actual shop, the imparting unit 106 may
impart points to be normally imparted to the user. Meanwhile, when
the user has not participated in the campaign conducted by the
actual shop, the imparting unit 106 may impart fewer points to the
user than those to be normally imparted.
[0294] To outline, when the user has participated in the campaign
conducted at the actual shop, the imparting unit 106 imparts more
points to the user than those to be imparted to the user when the
user have not participated in the campaign.
[0295] According to the point system 1 according to the fifth
embodiment described above, it is possible to lead a user of the
virtual shopping mall (the electronic commerce transaction) to the
actual shop to do shopping.
[0296] Below, modified examples of the above described first to
fifth embodiments will be described.
[0297] [1] For example, two or more of the third to fifth
embodiments may be combined.
[0298] [2] For example, as described above, a program (a membership
card program) for causing a portable terminal (for example, a
portable phone) to function as a membership card may be installed
in the portable terminal, and the portable terminal may be used at
the actual shop instead of the point card 40.
[0299] Below, the procedure at step S102, S103 in FIG. 3 to be
performed when the above mentioned portable terminal is used as the
membership card will be described.
[0300] In the case where the above described portable terminal is
used as the membership card, a user accesses from the portable
terminal a server that provides a membership card program to
download the membership card program to the portable terminal.
Then, the user activates the membership card program downloaded in
the portable terminal.
[0301] At initial activation of the membership card program, a
log-in screen is displayed. The log-in screen is similar to that
shown in FIG. 6. When it is determined that the combination of the
user ID and the password inputted on the log-in screen is
authentic, a membership card ID is newly issued to the portable
terminal. Further, in this case, the combination of the user ID
inputted on the log-in screen and the membership card ID newly
issued is registered in the link table. Still further, the newly
issued membership card ID is registered also in the membership card
table. In this case, the validity flag and the link flag are set to
"1" from the beginning. After completion of the above, a membership
card screen 120, such as is shown in FIG. 39, for example, is
displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal.
[0302] A point balance 122 is displayed on the membership card
screen 120 shown in FIG. 39. Further, a membership card ID 124A and
a bar code 124B are displayed on the membership card screen 120.
The membership card ID 124A is a newly issued membership card ID,
and the bar code 124B is a bar code indicating the membership card
ID 124A.
[0303] In buying a product or using a service at the actual shop, a
user presents the membership card screen 120. In this case, the bar
code 124B on the membership card screen 120 is read by the actual
shop terminal 3, and then points are imparted or used.
[0304] [3] For example, in a state in which no membership card is
linked to the user ID (that is, before completion of the procedure
at step S103 in FIG. 3), the points earned by the user in the
electronic commerce transaction may not be used.
[0305] For example, in the processing shown in FIG. 19, when it is
determined at step S303 that no membership card is linked to the
user ID, the control unit 11 may notify the electronic commerce
server 20 that it is not possible to use points. In this case, a
message informing or an image expressing that it is not possible to
use points may be displayed on the order screen. Further, in this
case, a message or an image for encouraging the user to perform the
procedure at step S103 may be displayed on the order screen.
[0306] Alternatively, in the processing shown in FIG. 20, when it
is determined at step S404 that no membership card is linked to the
user ID, the control unit 11 may notify the electronic commerce
server 20 that it is not possible to use points. In this manner, it
may be arranged such that the points imparted through the
electronic commerce cannot be used when no membership card is
linked to the user ID (that is, the procedure at step S103 in FIG.
3 is not yet completed) even though the user wants to use the
points.
[0307] [4] For example, after completion of the procedure at step
S102 in FIG. 3 and before completion of the procedure at step S103,
when the user presents the point card 40 in buying a product or
using a service at the actual shop, the actual shop terminal 3 may
print a message on a receipt for encouraging the user to perform
the procedure at step S103.
[0308] That is, when the user presents the point card 40 in buying
a product or using a service at an actual shop, the actual shop
terminal 3 may request the point management server 10 to check
whether or not the point card 40 is linked to a user ID used in the
virtual shopping mall. Then, based on the reply from the point
management server 10, the actual shop terminal 3 may print the
above mentioned message on the receipt. Note that the actual shop
terminal 3 may print the above mentioned message on a sheet of
paper other than the receipt.
[0309] [5] For example, when the user completes the procedure at
step S103, points may be imparted to the user as privilege.
Alternatively, the above mentioned privilege may be imparted to the
user only when a first membership card is linked to the user
ID.
Sixth Embodiment
[0310] A point system according to a sixth embodiment will be
described. FIG. 40 shows one example of a structure of a point
system according to the sixth embodiment.
[0311] A point system 200 according to the sixth embodiment is a
system for providing a point service to a user of an actual shop
that actually exists (for example, a shop or the like where a
product is actually exhibited and sold). Here again, an actual shop
that actually exists is referred to as the "actual shop".
[0312] A membership card (for example, a point card) is issued to a
user at the actual shop, and points are imparted to a user who
presents the membership card in buying a product or using a
service. The user can receive various privileges based on the
points. For example, by presenting the membership card in buying a
product or using a service, the user can appropriate the points for
all or a part of the payment. For example, the points can be
appropriated for all or a part of the payment based on 1 point=1
JPY. Such a point service is provided by the point system 200.
[0313] As shown in FIG. 40, the point system 200 includes a point
management server 210 (a point management device) and a database
215. A hardware structure of the point management server 210 is
similar to that of the point management server 10 in the first
embodiment (see FIG. 2). That is, the point management server 210
as well includes a control unit, a storage unit, an optical disk
drive unit, and a communication unit. Further, the control unit
executes processing according to a program stored in the storage
unit.
[0314] A program and data are supplied to the storage unit of the
point management server 210 via an optical disk. That is, a program
and data recorded in the optical disk is read by the optical disk
drive unit and stored in the storage unit of the point management
server 210.
[0315] Note that the point management server 210 may include a
structural element for reading a program or data stored in an
information storage medium (for example, a memory card) other than
the optical disk. Then, a program and data may be stored in the
storage unit of the point management server 210 via the information
storage medium other than the optical disk. Alternatively, a
program and data may be stored in the storage unit of the point
management server 210 via the communication network 205.
[0316] The point management server 210 can access the database 215.
The database 215 may be created in the point management server 210
or in a server other than the point management server 210. For
example, information necessary to provide the point service to a
user of an actual shop is stored in the database 215. Information
stored in the database 215 is to be described later.
[0317] Actual shop terminals 203A, 203B are each an information
processing device installed in an actual shop. For example, each
actual shop terminal 203A, 203B is a POS register. Each of the
actual shop terminals 203A, 203B has a function for reading a bar
code or a magnetic code, and can read bar codes or magnetic codes
of various cards or a bar code displayed on the display unit of a
portable terminal. Further, data communication is possible via a
communication network 205 between each of the actual shop terminals
203A, 203B and the point management server 210. In the following,
the actual shop terminals 203A, 203B may be collectively referred
to as an "actual shop terminal 203".
[0318] A user terminal 204 is an information processing device used
by a user. For example, the user terminal 204 is a personal
computer, a portable phone (including a smart phone), a portable
information terminal, or the like. The user terminal 204 includes a
control unit, a storage unit, a communication unit, an operation
unit, a communication unit, and a display unit.
[0319] Below, a procedure to be performed by a user to use the
point service provided by the point system 200 will be
described.
[0320] Initially, the user performs a procedure for user
registration to use the point service. For example, the user
accesses from the user terminal 204 a web page for user
registration provided by the point management server 210. Then, the
user inputs information on the user themselves (for example, a
name, a password, an address, a mail address, and the like) on the
user registration screen displayed on the display unit of the user
terminal 204. The information inputted on the user registration
screen is sent to the point management server 210 and stored in the
database 215 (see FIG. 42 to be described later).
[0321] Thereafter, the user has a membership card (a point card)
issued for use at an actual shop. For example, the managing company
of the point system 200 has distributed membership cards in advance
to the actual shop, and the membership card distributed by the
managing company of the point system 200 is issued to the user at
the actual shop. A point card similar to the point card 40 shown in
FIG. 5, for example, is issued to the user. Alternatively, the user
may perform the above mentioned procedure for registration after
the membership card is issued.
[0322] Note that a program for causing a portable terminal (for
example, a portable phone) to function as the membership card may
be installed into the portable terminal, and the portable terminal
may be used as the membership card instead of the point card 40
(see FIG. 39).
[0323] The user can earn points by presenting the membership card
at the actual shop in buying a product or using a service. At this
point of time, the membership card is in a temporary state. That
is, the membership card is in a state where it is possible to earn
points but not to use points.
[0324] After performing the procedure for user registration and the
procedure for issuing a membership card, the user performs a
procedure for linking their user ID in the point service and the
membership card issued at the actual shop. For example, the user
accesses from the user terminal 204 a web page provided by the
point management server 210. The web page is similar to that in the
first embodiment, for example (see FIGS. 6 to 8).
[0325] On the log-in screen 50 (see FIG. 6), the user inputs the
user ID and password used in the point service. When the
registration button 76 on the registration screen 70 (see FIG. 8)
is clicked, link between the user ID in the point service and the
membership card issued at the actual shop is registered in the
database 215 (see FIG. 46 to be described later). Note that the
user who has a plurality of membership cards issued at a plurality
of actual shops can have the plurality of membership cards linked
to their own user ID.
[0326] The point system 200 according to the sixth embodiment has
an unauthorized use preventing function for preventing an
unauthorized use of a membership card. In the following, this
unauthorized use preventing function will be described.
[0327] FIG. 41 is a function block diagram showing function blocks
relevant to the above described unauthorized use preventing
function among those which are implemented in the point system 200.
As shown in FIG. 41, the point system 200 includes an information
storage unit 220, a first determination unit 222, a second
determination unit 224, and a use restriction unit 226. For
example, the information storage unit 220 is implemented using the
database 215, and the other function blocks are implemented by the
control unit of the point management server 210.
[0328] The information storage unit 220 stores various information
items necessary to provide the point service. For example,
information on a user using the point service, information on an
actual shop which is a member of the point service (a location or
the like), information on a history of use of a membership card (an
actual shop where the membership card is used and a time and date
at which the membership card is used). Note that the information
storage unit 220 includes a membership card identification
information storage unit 220A. The membership card identification
information storage unit 220A stores one or more membership card
identification information items in association with user
identification information. The "user identification information"
is information for identifying a user. The "membership card
identification information" is information for identifying a
membership card for imparting and/or using points at the actual
shop. Specifically, data such as is shown in FIGS. 42 to 46, for
example, is stored in the information storage unit 220.
[0329] FIG. 42 shows one example of a user table. The user table
shows a list of users who use the point service provided by the
point system 200. For example, the user table includes "user ID",
"password", "user name", "address", and "mail address" fields.
[0330] In the "user ID" field, identification information for
uniquely identifying a user is registered. A user ID may be
designated by the user or automatically determined by the point
system 200. In the "password" field, a password designated by the
user is registered. In the "user name", "address", and "mail
address" fields, the name, address, and mail address of the user
are respectively registered.
[0331] FIG. 43 shows one example of an actual shop table. The
actual shop table shows a list of actual shops that are members of
the point service provided by the point system 200. For example,
the actual shop table includes "actual shop ID", "shop name",
"postcode", "address", and "telephone number" fields. In the
"actual shop ID" field, identification information for uniquely
identifying an actual shop is registered. The name, postcode,
address, and telephone number of the actual shop are registered in
the "shop name", "postcode", "address", and "telephone number"
fields, respectively.
[0332] FIG. 44 shows one example of a membership card table. The
membership card table shows a list of membership cards for use at
respective actual shops. For example, the membership card table
includes a list of point cards 40 distributed to the respective
actual shops by the managing company of the point system 200. In
addition, the membership card table also includes a list of
portable terminals that are used as a membership card instead of
the point card 40.
[0333] For example, the membership card table includes "membership
card ID", "card ID", "security code", "magnetic code", "actual shop
ID", "type", "validity flag", "link flag", and "point balance"
fields.
[0334] In the "membership card ID" field, identification
information for uniquely identifying a membership card is
registered. In the "card ID" and "security code" fields, the card
ID 46 and the security code 48 printed on the point card 40 are
registered, respectively. In the "magnetic code" field, a magnetic
code recorded on the magnetic stripe 42 of the point card 40 is
registered. In the "actual shop ID" field, the actual shop ID of
the actual shop that has issued the membership card is
registered.
[0335] The "type" field indicates the type of the membership card.
For example, either the value "0" or "1" is registered in the
"type" field. The value "0" indicates that the membership card is
the point card 40; the value "1" indicates that the membership card
is the portable terminal (see FIG. 39 to be described later).
[0336] The "validity flag" field indicates whether or not the
membership card is valid. For example, either the value "0" or "1"
is registered in the "validity flag" field. The value "0" indicates
that the membership card is not valid; the value "1" indicates that
the membership card is valid. Note that, as described above, when
the membership card is not valid, use of points is restricted. That
is, when the membership card is not valid, it is possible to earn
points but not to use the points.
[0337] The "link flag" field indicates whether or not the procedure
for linking a user ID in the point service and the membership card
issued at the actual shop is completed. For example, either the
value "0" or "1" is registered in the "link flag" field. The value
"0" indicates that the membership card is not linked to the user
ID; the value "1" indicates that the membership card is linked to
the user ID. Note that before completion of the above described
procedure, the value "0" is set in the "validity flag" and "link
flag" fields.
[0338] In the "point balance" field, the remaining of the points
imparted to the membership card is registered.
[0339] FIG. 45 shows one example of a point history table. The
point history table shown in FIG. 45 shows a history of imparting
or using points at the respective actual shops. That is, the point
history table is data indicating a history of using the membership
card (a location where the membership card is used and a time and
date at which the membership card is used). For example, the point
history table includes "ID", "time and date", "membership card ID",
"actual shop ID", "earned point", and "used point" fields.
[0340] In the "ID" field, identification information for uniquely
identifying each record in the point history table is registered.
In the "time and date" field, a time and date when points has been
earned or used (that is, a time and date when the membership card
is used) is registered. In the "user ID" field, the user ID of a
user who has earned or used the points is registered. In the
"membership card ID" field, the membership card ID of a membership
card presented by a user when buying a product or using a service
is registered. In the "actual shop ID" field, the actual shop ID of
an actual shop where the user has bought or used a product or a
service (that is, an actual shop where the user has used the
membership card) is registered.
[0341] In the "earned point" field, the amount of points earned by
the user by buying a product or the like is registered. The "earned
point" field includes "basic" and "bonus" fields. For example, the
amount of points obtained by multiplying a predetermined percentage
to a purchase price are imparted to the user having bought a
product as basic points. In addition, during a special period, such
as a period of a campaign or the like conducted at a shop, bonus
points may be imparted to the user in addition to the above
mentioned basic points. The "basic" field indicates the basic
points earned by the user; the "bonus" field indicates the bonus
points earned by the user. In the "used point" field, the amount of
points used by the user in buying a product or the like is
registered.
[0342] FIG. 46 shows one example of a link table. A link table
shows a link between a user ID used in the point service and a
membership card used at an actual shop.
[0343] In the case where a first membership card ID and a second
membership card ID are linked to a single user ID, the first
determination unit 222 determines whether or not the location of a
first actual shop at which the first membership card identified by
the first membership card ID has been used is far away from the
location of a second actual shop at which the second membership
card identified by the second membership card ID has been used.
That is, the first determination unit 222 determines, based on a
predetermined determination criterion, whether or not the
difference in location between the first actual shop and the second
actual shop is large.
[0344] Note here that the above mentioned "determination criterion"
refers to a determination criterion for determining whether or not
the difference in location between the first actual shop and the
second actual shop is large.
[0345] For example, the above mentioned "determination criterion"
may be "whether or not the distance between the location of the
first actual shop and that of the second actual shop is longer than
a reference distance". In this case, it is necessary to have
information necessary to calculate the distance between actual
shops registered in the actual shop table. For example, it is
necessary to have the latitude and the longitude of the location of
each actual shop registered in the actual shop table.
[0346] Further, for example, the above mentioned "determination
criterion" may be "whether or not the administrative district of
the location of the first actual shop differs from that of the
second actual shop". For example, an "administrative district"
corresponds to "prefecture" in Japan, "state or county" in the
U.S., "province or region" in China, "special city, metropolitan
city, or province" in Korea. Note that an "administrative district"
may refer to an administrative district subordinate to the
administrative district mentioned above as examples. For example,
the "administrative district" may correspond to "city, town, or
village" in Japan.
[0347] Further, for example, the above mentioned "determination
criterion" may be "whether or not a predetermined part (or the
whole) of the postcode of the location of the first actual shop
differs from a predetermined part (or the whole) of the postcode of
the location of the second actual shop". In the case of Japan, for
example, a seven-digit number obtained by combining a three-digit
number identifying a region with a four-digit number identifying a
post office in charge of collection and delivery is used as the
postcode. In the case where a number that is a combination of an
n-digit number (n: an integer of one or greater) identifying a
region and an m-digit number (m: an integer of one or greater)
identifying additional information (a post office in charge of
collection and delivery, or the like) is used as the postcode as
described above, the above mentioned "determination criterion" may
be "whether or not the first n-digit number of the postcode of the
location of the first actual shop differ from the first n-digit
number of the postcode of the location of the second actual shop".
Alternatively, in the case where a number including only an n-digit
number (n: one or more integer) identifying a region is used as the
postcode, the above mentioned "determination criterion" may be
"whether or not the postcode of the location of the first actual
shop differs from the postcode of the location of the second actual
shop".
[0348] Further, for example, in the case where a telephone number
includes a number identifying a region, the above mentioned
"determination criterion" may be "whether or not the regional
number of the telephone number of the location of the first actual
shop differs from the regional number of the telephone number of
the location of the second actual shop". For example, as the
telephone number of a fixed telephone in Japan includes an area
code identifying an area, the above mentioned "determination
criterion" may be "whether or not the area code of the telephone
number of the location of the first actual shop differs from the
area code of the telephone number of the location of the second
actual shop".
[0349] Further, for example, a combination of administrative
districts (in the case of Japan, for example, prefecture, city,
town, village, or the like) that are considered far away from each
other may be defined in advance. Then, the above mentioned
"determination criterion" may be "whether or not the combination of
the administrative district of the location of the first actual
shop and the administrative district of the location of the second
actual shop coincide with any of the above described predetermined
combinations".
[0350] Further, for example, a combination of postcodes (or
telephone numbers or the like) that are considered far away from
each other may be defined in advance. Then, the above mentioned
"determination criterion" may be "whether or not the combination of
the postcode (or a telephone number or the like) of the location of
the first actual shop and the postcode (or telephone numbers or the
like) of the location of the second actual shop coincides with any
of the above described predetermined combinations".
[0351] In the case where a first membership card ID and a second
membership card ID are linked to a single user ID, the second
determination unit 224 determines whether or not the time and date
(a first time and date) at which the first membership card
identified by the first membership card ID is used at the first
actual shop is close to the time and date (a second time and date)
at which the second membership card identified by the second
membership card ID is used at the second actual shop. That is, the
second determination unit 224 determines, based on a predetermined
determination criterion, whether or not the difference between the
first time and date and the second time and date is small.
[0352] Note here that the above mentioned "determination criterion"
is a determination criterion for determining whether or not the
difference between the first time and date and the second time and
date is small.
[0353] For example, the above mentioned "determination criterion"
may be "whether or not the difference in time between the first
time and date and the second time and date is smaller than a
reference period of time". Alternatively, the above mentioned
"determination criterion" may be "whether or not the first time and
date and the second time and date belong to the same day".
[0354] The use restriction unit 226 restricts use of at least one
of the first and second membership cards based on the result of
determination by the first determination unit 222 and the result of
determination by the second determination unit 224.
[0355] For example, when the difference in the location between the
first actual shop and the second actual shop is large, and the
difference between the first time and date and the second time and
date is small, the use restriction unit 226 restricts use of at
least one of the first and second membership cards. That is, in the
case where the location of the first actual shop is far away from
the location of the second actual shop and the first time and date
is close to the second time and date, the use restriction unit 226
restricts use of at least one of the first and second membership
cards.
[0356] Note that "to restrict use of a membership card" means, for
example, to prohibit use of points. Alternatively, "to restrict use
of a membership card" means to prohibit both use and earning of
points. For example, the use restriction unit 226 changes the
validity flag of the membership card to "0" to thereby restrict use
of the membership card.
[0357] A case in which the location of the first actual shop is far
away from the location of the second actual shop and the first time
and date is close to the second time and date corresponds to a case
in which the first and second membership cards linked to a single
user ID have been used by two or more persons. In this case, it is
highly likely that at least one of the users has used the
membership card for fraud. Regarding this point, according to the
point system 200 according to the sixth embodiment, as the first
and second membership cards are invalidated in such a case, it is
possible to prevent unauthorized use of the first and second
membership cards.
[0358] Note that according to the point system. 200 according to
the sixth embodiment, in the case where membership cards for use by
two or more users are linked to a single user ID, use of these
membership cards is restricted. Therefore, according to the point
system 200 according to the sixth embodiment, in the case where,
for example, there is a rule defining that a membership card for
use by only a single user can be linked to a single user ID, it is
possible to prevent use of a membership card that violates such a
rule.
[0359] In the following, processing that is executed in the point
system 200 according to the sixth embodiment will be described.
FIG. 47 shows one example of processing that is executed when a
user presents the point card 40 in buying a product or using a
service at an actual shop. That is, FIG. 47 shows one example of
processing that is executed when the membership card presented by
the user is read at the actual shop terminal 203.
[0360] As shown in FIG. 47, initially, the control unit of the
actual shop terminal 203 requests the point management server 210
to check the point balance (S2001). In this case, the membership
card ID of the membership card presented by the user is sent to the
point management server 210.
[0361] When the above described request is received in the point
management server 210, the control unit of the point management
server 210 refers to the membership card table to determine whether
or not the membership card presented by the user is valid by
determining whether or not the validity flag of the membership card
ID received from the actual shop terminal 203 indicates "1"
(S2002).
[0362] A case in which the validity flag of the membership card ID
does not indicate "1" refers to a case in which the membership card
presented by the user is not valid and it is thus not possible to
use points. In this case, the control unit notifies the actual shop
terminal 203 that it is not possible to use points (S2004).
[0363] Meanwhile, when the validity flag of the membership card ID
indicates "1", the control unit obtains from the membership card
table a point balance stored in association with the membership
card ID received from the actual shop terminal 203 (S2003). For
example, in a case in which the membership card ID received from
the actual shop terminal 203 at step S2001 is "00001", the control
unit refers to the membership card table to obtain the point
balance of the membership card ID "00001". Then, the control unit
notifies the actual shop terminal 203 of the point balance obtained
(S2004).
[0364] When the notice from the point management server 210 is
received at the actual shop terminal 203, the content of the notice
is displayed on the display unit of the actual shop terminal 203.
Based on the content displayed, a sales staff of the actual shop
asks the user if they want to use points. When the user wants to
use points, the sales staff performs an operation for instructing
to use points. Note that the operation of instructing to use points
cannot be performed when it is not possible to use points.
[0365] The control unit of the actual shop terminal 203 determines
whether or not the user wants to use points (S2005). When the user
wants to use points, the control unit requests the point management
server 210 to execute processing for using points (S2006). In this
case, information indicating the amount of payment due to the user
is sent to the point management server 210 together with the
membership card ID of the membership card presented by the
user.
[0366] When the above described request is received in the point
management server 210, the control unit accesses the membership
card table to decrease the point balance stored in association with
the membership card ID received from the actual shop terminal 203
(S2007).
[0367] Assume here a case in which payment due to the user is 500
JPY and the membership card ID received from the actual shop
terminal 203 at step S2006 is "00001". In this case, the control
unit refers to the membership card table to obtain the point
balance of the membership card ID "00001". In the example shown in
FIG. 44, the point balance of the membership card ID "00001" is 200
points. In this case, as the point balance of the membership card
ID "00001" is equal to or less than the payment due to the user
(500 JPY), all of the points of the membership card ID "00001" are
used. That is, the point balance of the membership card ID "00001"
is updated to 0. Further, in this case, the remaining of the
payment due to the user becomes 300 JPY.
[0368] After execution of step S2007, the control unit notifies the
actual shop terminal 203 of completion of the processing for using
points (S2008). In this case, the amount of points used and the
remaining of the payment due to the user are notified to the actual
shop terminal 203. Alternatively, either one of the amount of
points used and the remaining of the payment due to the user may be
informed to the actual shop terminal 203.
[0369] When the above described notice is received at the actual
shop terminal 203, the control unit of the actual shop terminal 203
displays the content of the notice on the display unit. The sales
staff of the actual shop checks the content, and then performs an
operation for settlement processing. The control unit of the actual
shop terminal 203 executes the settlement processing according to
the operation by the sales staff (S2009).
[0370] When the settlement processing is completed, the control
unit of the actual shop terminal 203 requests the point management
server 210 to execute processing for imparting points (S2010). In
this case, information indicating the amount of points to be
imparted to the user and the amount of points used by the user is
sent to the point management server 210 together with the
membership card ID. Note that the amount of points to be imparted
to a user who has used points may be determined based on the
original amount of payment or the amount actually paid by the
user.
[0371] When the above described request is received in the point
management server 210, the control unit accesses the membership
card table to increase the point balance of the membership card ID
received from the actual shop terminal 203 (S2011). That is, the
point balance of the membership card ID received from the actual
shop terminal 203 is increased by the amount of points to be
imparted to the user. Further, the control unit executes
registration in the point history table (S2012). Thereafter, the
control unit notifies the actual shop terminal 203 of completion of
the processing for imparting points (S2013). Then, when this notice
is received at the actual shop terminal 203, the actual shop
terminal 203 stores the content of the notice as a log in the
storage unit (S2014).
[0372] Although it is described in the above that the processing
for imparting points is executed immediately after completion of
the settlement processing, the processing for imparting points may
be collectively executed during, for example, a time band with a
fewer processing load (for example, at midnight).
[0373] FIG. 48 shows one example of processing that is executed by
the point management server 210 at a predetermined time. The
processing shown in FIG. 48 is processing for determining whether
or not a plurality of membership cards linked to a single user ID
are used for fraud by two or more persons. The control unit of the
point management server 210 executes the processing shown in FIG.
48 according to a program, thereby functioning as the first
determination unit 222, the second determination unit 224, and the
use restriction unit 226.
[0374] The processing shown in FIG. 48 is executed for every user
ID. For example, the processing shown in FIG. 48 is executed with
respect to the user ID "U0001" as a check target, and thereafter,
the processing shown in FIG. 48 is executed with respect to the
user ID "U0002" as the check target. That is, as described above,
the processing shown in FIG. 48 is executed while sequentially
selecting the respective user IDs as the check target.
[0375] Further, the processing shown in FIG. 48 is executed for
every predetermined period of time (for example, one hour).
Alternatively, the processing shown in FIG. 48 is executed at a
predetermined time (for example, at 0 o'clock) every day.
[0376] As shown in FIG. 48, initially, the control unit determines
whether or not a plurality of membership cards are linked to a user
ID that is a check target (S2101). That is, the control unit refers
to the link table to determine whether or not a plurality of
membership card IDs are linked to the check target user ID. When a
plurality of membership cards are not linked to the check target
user ID, the control unit ends this processing.
[0377] Meanwhile, when a plurality of membership cards are linked
to the check target user ID, the control unit refers to the point
history table to determine whether or not a plurality of membership
cards among those plurality of membership cards have been used
during a predetermined period (for example, 24 hours) immediately
prior to the current time (S2102). When the plurality of membership
cards have not been used within the period, the control unit ends
this processing.
[0378] Meanwhile, when the plurality of membership cards have been
used within the period, the control unit determines whether or not
the places where the plurality of respective membership cards have
been used are far away from each other (S2103). That is, the
control unit refers to the actual shop table to determine, based on
the above described determination criterion, whether or not the
locations of the actual shops where the plurality of respective
membership cards have been used are far away from each other. When
it is determined that the places where the plurality of respective
membership cards have been used are not far away from each other,
the control unit ends this processing.
[0379] Meanwhile, when it is determined that the places where the
plurality of respective membership cards have been used are far
away from each other, the control unit determines whether or not
the times and dates when the plurality of respective membership
cards have been used are close to each other (S2104). For example,
the control unit refers to the point history table to determine
whether or not the difference between the times and dates when the
plurality of respective membership cards have been used is within a
threshold (for example, three hours). Then, the above described
difference is within the threshold, the control unit determines
that the times and dates when the plurality of respective
membership cards have been used are close to each other. When it is
determined that the times and dates when the plurality of
respective membership cards have been used are not close to each
other, the control unit ends this processing.
[0380] Meanwhile, when it is determined that the times and dates
when the plurality of respective membership cards are used are
close to each other, the control unit restricts use of the
plurality of membership cards (S2105). That is, the control unit
accesses the membership card table to set the validity flags of the
plurality of membership cards to "0". Then, the control unit ends
this processing.
[0381] Note that step S2104 in FIG. 48 may be omitted. In the
manner described above, use of a plurality of membership cards may
be restricted when the plurality of membership cards linked to a
single user ID are used in respective places far away from each
other within a predetermined period of time (for example, 24
hours).
[0382] At step S2102 in FIG. 48, the control unit may determine
whether or not a plurality of membership cards are used today.
Alternatively, the control unit may determine whether or not a
plurality of membership cards are used yesterday. In the latter
case, when a plurality of membership cards linked to a single user
ID are used in respective places far away from each other at close
points of time, use of the plurality of membership cards will be
restricted from the next day.
[0383] According to the above described point system. 200 according
to the sixth embodiment, it is possible to prevent use of first and
second membership cards linked to a single user ID by a plurality
of persons.
[0384] Further, according to the point system 200 according to the
sixth embodiment, for example, when there is a rule defining that a
membership card used by only a single user can be linked to a
single user ID, it is possible to prevent use of a membership card
that violates the rule.
[0385] Note that the point system 200 may include a plurality of
point management servers 210. The processing shown in FIG. 47 and
the processing shown in FIG. 48 may be executed by different point
management servers 210, respectively.
[0386] Further, in the point service provided by the point system
200, a user may be able to use points imparted at an actual shop at
another actual shop.
[0387] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above
described first to sixth embodiments.
[0388] [1] For example, points earned by a user at an actual shop
may be stored in a storage medium included in a membership card.
For example, points earned by the user at the actual shop may be
stored in an IC chip included in the point card 40 or a storage
unit included in the portable terminal.
[0389] [2] In the electronic commerce (the virtual shopping mall),
not only a product such as clothes, food, or the like, but also
data such as, for example, electronic book data, music data, video
data, or the like, may be sold as a product. In an electronic
commerce (the virtual shopping mall) or the actual shop, not only
sale of a product but also sale or provision of a service may be
implemented.
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